U-21 Football Championship Semi Final

Swatragh 0-06 Loup 0-05

Swatragh progressed to the final of the U-21 Championship with a hard fought win over Loup at Desertmartin. In heavy underfoot conditions both sides played their part in a very committed and hard hitting encounter. There were several robust challenges from both teams but they were given and taken in a sporting manner.

With both defences on top for the most part this was always going to be a low scoring affair. Swatragh started the first half with the advantage of whatever breeze on offer, but it was Loup who registered the first point of the game.

Swatragh were struggling to get scores from open play but a couple of frees from Michael Kirkpatrick put them into the lead. The Davitts were bossing possession around the middle of the field, with Michael Friel in commanding form and Sean McNicholl and Robert McWilliams mopping up the breaks.

A further score from Michael Kirkpatrick put Swatragh two points ahead and they maintained this gap until the interval with the scores at 0-04 to 0-02. Swatragh should have been further ahead considering they played with wind advantage and bossed possession. They were denied further scores by good defending, poor decision making and sub standard finishing.

Back Row. (l-r) Declan Kearney, Michael Friel, Seamus Friel, Declan McNicholl, Michael O'Kane, Cathal McQuillan, Eugene O'Kane, Sean McNicholl, Patrick McQuillan, Michael McKenna, Michael Kirkpatrick.

Front Row: Niall O'Doherty, Diarmuid Dillon, Martin Dillon, Ryan Dillon, Sean McMaster, Eugene McGuckin, Robert McWilliams, Paul O'Kane, Liam Kearney

The Davitts came out strongly at the beginning of the second half and stretched their advantage to three when Sean McNicholl got on the end of a flowing move. Loup started to edge their way back into the game but were finding it difficult to get scores as the Davitts had found in the first half.

The Swatragh defence were working overtime to keep the Loup out with Cathal McQuillan & Eugene McGuckin on top in the full back line. The Davitts were keeping their noses in front but some sloppy passes led to frees for Loup and they duly converted to reduce the difference to the minimum.

With the game tightening up Swatragh needed to get their hands on the ball and they were thankful to Paul O’Kane who won possession vitally at this crucial stage. On another foray up the field Liam Kearney won the ball in the right corner and fed a high ball across to Michael Kirkpatrick who in turn slipped in Michael Friel for a crucial score.

As time was nearly up Swatragh clung on to their two point advantage and although Loup managed another points the Davitts held on for a well deserved victory.

This was a tremendous victory for the Davitts against a well fancied Loup team. In truth for the amount of possession they had Swatragh should probably have made life a little easier for themselves. Credit then is due to Loup who never allowed the Davitts to get out of touch.

Swatragh now await the winners of the other semi-final between Ballinderry and Slaughtneil in the final. They will need to match the work rate and determination shown in this match, and become more clinical up front to take the title.

Well done to all the lads and their mentors and good luck in the final.

Team & Scorers:
Michael O’Kane, Cathal McQuillan, Declan Kearney, Eugene McGuckin, Robert McWilliams, Ryan Dillon, Martin Dillon, Sean McMaster, Michael Friel (0-01), Eugene O’Kane, Michael McKenna, Sean McNicholl (0-02), Paul O’Kane, Michael Kirkpatrick (0-03), Liam Kearney.
Subs: Niall O’Doherty for Declan Kearney (ill), Declan McNicholl for Eugene O’Kane