EirGrid Ulster Under 20 Final places up for grabs

July 4th, 2019

Paul Cassidy on target for Derry in their quarter-final win over Armagh. Pic: Mary K Burke

The EirGrid Ulster Under 20 Championship has reached the semi-final stage with two games down for decision this weekend.

On Friday night holders Derry put their title on the line at Healy Park when they play Fermanagh. Throw-in at the Omagh venue is 8pm. Then on Saturday afternoon Cavan and Tyrone go in search of an Ulster final place when they meet in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones at 2.45pm.

Derry will be sweating on the fitness of forwards Ben McCarron and Oisin McWilliams who picked up injuries in the Oak Leaf County’s dramatic victory over Armagh last weekend. Mickey Donnelly will be hoping his side are more efficient in front of goal this week having wasted a number of great chances before falling ten points behind against Armagh. Paul Cassidy was central to that comeback and his partnership with Lorcan McWilliams will be key for Derry.

Their opponents Fermanagh needed two late Fergal McGovern scores to get over the line against Donegal in the quarter-final last weekend. They lost senior star Ultan Kelm to injury during that victory and they’ll be hoping the injury is not serious enough to keep him out of tomorrow’s game. Johnny Cassidy at full-back offers the Ernesiders a great base to build from, while the midfield of Eoin Beacom and Brandon Horan form an impressive midfield partnership.

Tyrone had looked in control at half time in their quarter-final with Down before edging over the line. Tiarnan Quinn was influential for the Red Hands while Darragh Canavan and Mark McKearney found the net last Sunday. Paul Devlin will be hoping all three can impress again on Saturday.

Cavan, buoyed by last weekend’s impressive victory over Monaghan, will be hopeful of an Ulster final appearance. Patrick Lynch carried the main scoring threat for Cavan in the victory over Monaghan, while captain Paddy Meade was a key component in a defence that conceded just six scores.

Updates from the two games this weekend are available on Twitter at @UlsterGAA.