U21 final a close call

Editorial Department • Published 25 Feb 2010 10:08 0 Comments

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The Fermanagh U21 final should finally be concluded tomorrow (Friday) night in Brookeboro with Tempo set to take on Belcoo in what promises to be a closely fought encounter.

The sides finished in the top two slots during the league phase of the competition and cemented their positions as the best teams in the competition by progressing through to the final, Tempo defeating Maguiresbridge and Belcoo overcoming St. Pat's in the semi-finals.

The delay in the playing of the final may well leave both teams a bit rusty although the two sets of players will have been out training with their repective senior squads so they should be ready for action on Friday night.

An indication of how hard this game is to call is the fact that the sides could not be separated when they met in the league section of the tournament although Belcoo were missing Fermanagh senior player Niall McGovern on that occasion.

Tempo co-manager Declan Bogue, who runs the team along with Enda Coyle, feels that Belcoo will be slight favourites entering the decider.

"We drew earlier in the competition but on that day they were without Niall McGovern and him coming in should certainly strengthen and improve their side. We would be aware that they have plenty of quality in their side and probably would have the greater spread of talent throughout their team so I would imagine that most neutrals would put Belcoo just ahead as favourites. In saying that we will be looking to win the game. The boys have put a lot of effort into the game and we're hopeful that we can come out on top," he said.

Bogue though will have to plan without key man Rory Foy with the Fermanagh player having been sent off in the semi-final although they do possess plenty of menace in the shape of Daryl Keenan. Keenan's ability to pick off scores as well as set them up will be vital for Tempo and they will be looking for big performances from the him as well as the likes of PJ Rodgers and Ciaran Ingram at the back, Ryan Bogue at midfield and Niall McCusker and Aidan Breen up front.

Belcoo will obviously look for Niall McGovern to provide leadership, and he could be given the job of marking Keenan while Eoin Leonard and James Stewart are also important players in the Belcoo defence. At midfield James McGrath may be partnered with Seamus Conlon and Belcoo will hope that this will provide them with the platform to go on and win the game while in attack the likes of Brian Cox, Gavin Leonard and Johnny Feely gives them plenty of fire power.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 25 Feb 10

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