Saturday, November 16:
AIB Ulster Junior Club Championship Final
Na Dunaibh (Donegal) v Cumann Pheadair Naofa (Down); Kildress GAA, 1.30pm
IT’S Down v Donegal in the junior decider as Cumann Pheadair Naofa, of Warrenpoint, meet Downings in Kildress at 1.30pm on Saturday.
This is CPN’s first time in the Ulster final and so far, they have relished their new adventure. In the quarter-final, they had a one-point win over Antrim champions Lamh Dhearg. They trailed by a point at the break and then went four down early in the second half when the Belfast outfit netted.
To their credit the Warrenpoint side hit five unanswered points to win by the minimum. Enya Quinn top scored with five points.
It was a bit more comfortable in the semi-final. Despite missing a penalty, they overcame the Monaghan champions, Aughnamullen, 0-11 to 0-7.
Warrenpoint had five different scorers and, once again, Enya Quinn was the top scorer with six points, five from frees.
While CNP have been racking up the points, Downings have been finding the net. In their Donegal County final, they netted five times. Against Butlerbridge in the Ulster quarter-final they also scored five goals as they defeated the Cavan champions by three points.
In the provincial semi-final, they had a single point win over Coleraine, 2-6 to 1-8. Denise Doherty scored a goal in each half but the heroine that day was Shannon McGroody who fired over the winning point in the 58th minute.
The 28 year old former Donegal player has a wealth of experience and is a great influence on the many young players in the Downings squad. She can also boast an All-Ireland senior club winners medal with Termon. Watch out also for Aoibhinn O’Connell whose performance in the semi-final helped her make the Gaelic Life Team of the Week.
This one is too difficult to call. The 2023 decider between Lavey and Dungloe was a cracker. If this final is half the game last year’s was, the fans are in for a real treat.
Downings in action
