The opening games in the Ulster Minor Football Tournament will take place this weekend as the popular competition makes its return following a two-year hiatus.
The St Paul’s club in West Belfast will be hosting the tournament in what is the 40th anniversary of the competition with all nine teams now confirmed.
The Fermanagh winners Irvinestown only won their county title at the end of November, scoring an impressive 4-18 to 1-7 win over Cleenish (Belcoo and Belnaleck).
Read more: Watty Graham's must be at their very best to down Magpies says Connor Carville
They’ll make a swift return to action when they take on Donegal winners Four Masters in the preliminary round of the competition at Coláiste Feirste on Saturday, December 10 at 5pm.
The winners will face Armagh champions Clann na nGael in the quarter-final next Saturday at the same venue.
Earlier on Saturday, the opening game of the tournament takes place at St Paul’s GAC on the Shaws Road with Antrim champions St Brigid’s taking on Down winners Burren at 1pm.
On Sunday, the champions of Derry and Cavan battle it out for a place in the semi-finals as Dungiven take on Ramor United at 1pm.
Derry have won the two most recent renewals of the competition with Bellaghy (2018) and Lavey (2019) winning the Jim McConville Cup before coronavirus >Covid forced the cancellation of the last two tournaments.
The final of the tournament, which is again sponsored by fonaCAB, will return to its familiar New Year’s Day slot.
2022 Ulster Minor Football Tournament at St Paul’s
Preliminary round:
Irvinestown (Fermanagh) v Four Masters (Donegal) (Saturday, December 10, Coláiste Feirste, 5pm)
Quarter-finals:
St Brigid’s (Antrim) v Burren (Down) (Saturday, December 10, St Paul’s, 1pm)
Ramor United (Cavan)v Dungiven (Derry) (Sunday, December 11, St Paul’s, 1pm)
Donaghmore (Tyrone) v Scotstown (Monaghan) (Saturday, December 17, Coláiste Feirste, 5pm)
Clan na nGael (Armagh) v Preliminary winners (Saturday, December 17, Coláiste Feirste, 1.30pm)
Semi-finals:
St Brigid’s or Burren v Ramor United or Dungiven (Sunday, December 18, St Paul’s, 1pm)
Donaghmore or Scotstown v Irvinestown/Four Masters/ Clann na nGael (Monday, December 26, St Paul’s, 1pm)
Fina: New Year’s Day, St Paul’s, 1pm.
Read next:
Aidan Branagan glad to be back after shelving retirement plans
Antrim native Owen Gallagher helps Galway champions Moycullen to Connacht glory
Dunloy boss Gregory O’Kane calls for Croker All-Ireland semi-final double bill
Recap as Dunloy seal Ulster Club Hurling title with narrow win over Slaughtneil
- Casement Park 'the only Belfast venue' for Euro 2028 despite new capacity concerns
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
