In-form McEnhill can point the way into final for Rossa
O’DONOVAN Rossa are hoping they can take a big step towards success in the FonaCAB Ulster Under-18 Minor Football tournament when they meet Derry representatives Ballinascreen in today’s second semi-final at the St Paul’s complex at Shaw’s Road (1.30pm).
Rossa enjoyed a trouble-free passage through to the last four by overwhelming Monaghan side Killany by 2-15 to 0-7 in the quarter-final stage and today they will seek to produce a similar sharpshooting exercise against their opponents.
Rossa boast an array of individual talent with Dominic McEnhill, who scored a total of 1-7 against Killany, Conall Shannon, Michael Close and Martin McCashin among their key players.
The team showed against the Oriel County side that they possess cohesion and formidable attacking power — but they may find Ballinascreen rather more resilient opponents in this semi-final.
In the quarter-finals, the Derry side just about managed to get the better of Tyrone representatives Errigal Ciaran (1-10 to 1-8) but they can look to players such as Martin Bradley, Ciaran Doyle, Emmett Duggan and Ciaran Traynor to lay the foundation for today’s performance.
It was Duggan’s well-taken goal from a penalty that triggered Ballinascreen’s victory surge but now there is a feeling that only a top-drawer display by the Derry side will help sustain their challenge against the Rossa outfit.
Meanwhile, Enniskillen became the first side to book their place in the U18 Minor decider by virtue of their fine 2-9 to 1-9 win over the fancied St Eunan’s side from Letterkenny on Saturday.
The Fermanagh outfit led by 1-5 to 0-6 at the break and although St Eunan’s endeavoured to take control after the interval, the Letterkenny men found it difficult to make any real headway against their opponents’ defence.
Super goals from Callum Jones and Matthew Dixon were to prove crucial to the Enniskillen victory.