23 January 2012
Armagh U21 champions Cullyhanna made their first appearance in Ulster’s elite U21 Championship (Patrick Mc Larnon Memorial Cup) and comfortably eased their way into a quarter-final spot with Antrim champions and hosts Kickhams Creggan after a convincing 17 point victory over Fermangh’s Belcoo.
Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half Cullyhanna limited Belcoo to a single point from Philip Leonard, whilst converting three points of their own from Murray, McEvoy and Connell to lead at half time by two.
The second half was a totally different affair and was all too easy for the Armagh champions. Now with the wind on their backs they exerted continuous and sustained pressure on the Belcoo defence registering their first score within 30 seconds of the throw-in and not easing up until the final whistle. Cullyhanna’s ability to commit defenders to their attacks gave them numerous scoring options. The Armagh champions managed to get 9 different players in total on the scoreboard registering 1:13 in a second half of total dominance.
The Brian Denvir Plumbing Man of the Match Award went to Cullyhanna’s towering midfielder Tony Donnelly. Top scorer was wing half forward O’Neill who ended the game with an impressive 1: 03 (1f)
Cullyhanna now meet hosts Kickhams Creggan in the first of two quarter finals on Sunday 29th January (12.45 p.m) with Mayobridge of Down and Cavan champions Assan Gaels (2.30 p.m) completing an exciting double header.
