Aidan O’Rourke led Dromintee to the clubs first ever Ulster title on Saturday as they overcame Errigal Ciaran.The u16s competed in the Paul McGirr Ulster Club Championship where they also beat Carryduff in the semi-final. Three goals from Diarmaid O’Rourke, Odhran Carnegie and Oisin Byrne set the St Patrick’s men to glory.
”It’s very important for our club because we haven’t really been competing at this level,” said O’Rourke after the game.“It’s very satisfying because these boys have put in a serious amount of work to put themselves where they are.
“There’s a serious amount of work that has went on within the club. It’s just a wee marker of progress that we’re able to mix it with the bigger clubs.
“Dromintee played with the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half. That gave them a strong foothold in the game, carrying a 2-3 to 0-0 lead into the break.
“You never know what to do with the wind because it can change,” said the recently appointed Armagh minor manager.
“The conditions were very wintery, and we played very poor football if I’m being honest. But conditions and Errigal Ciaran dictated that to be fair, but we played enough football.“We probably felt at half time that we left a lot of scores behind us. We were a bit sloppy and messy during the last ten minutes of the half.
Aidan O Rourke, Kevin Toale and Stephan Dyas with the Paul McGirr Trophy
”That left us with a lot to do in the second half because there was a strong breeze and they had it obviously. But we played really well on the counterattack then in the second half.
”A notable aspect of Dromintee’s play with their tackling ability, a side of their game that really pleased O’Rourke.
”That’s one of the things that these lads really pride themselves on is their ability to press the ball and be disciplined and turn the ball over.
“It was really important today because obviously Errigal Ciaran had to come and chase us. If we could turn the ball over, then there was an opportunity for us.”
