'Any day in an Ulster semi-final is a good day!'

GLEN began their Ulster campaign with a 0-11 to 0-7 victory over Cargin on Sunday afternoon. The reigning champions led from start to finish to come out on top in a tough battle with the Antrim champions. 

For Glen manager Malachy O’Rouke it was job done and as he said afterwards: “Any day you get through to an Ulster semi-final is a good day.” 

That is exactly what it is, as it doesn’t matter how you get there, although they will be disappointed with their shooting as they were not at their best and is one thing the Fermanagh native knows they must improve on. 

“Our scoring conversion is the big one. In the first half in most of our attacks we always got a shot away but didn’t always convert so that is what we need to tidy up.”

“Times we went four or five points up but at times a few passes let us down and we look wrong options at times. We could have done a few things more simpler,” said O’Rourke.

They led by two at the break with Cargin reduced to 14 players on 27 minutes when Tomas McCann received his marching orders following a high tackle on Conleth McGuckian. To their credit, Cargin hung onto Glen’s tails and never went away so the character of his lads delighted O’Rourke. 

“The boys showed a lot of character in a tough game. Cargin are very physically strong and hold the ball well. We had to grind it out and delighted we were able to do that.

“We came here today and would have been delighted even it was just a point. We know we have to improve for the next day and that is our focus now.”

That next outing is against Naomh Conaill (Donegal) who saw off Cavan side Gowna in their clash thanks to a last gasp goal. The Donegal side lost out in the 2019 final so they have experience throughout their side and will be relishing a meeting with Glen. Elsewhere, Scotstown saw off Kilcooto set up a meeting with Trillick who defeated Crossmaglen. 

In the Intermediate championship Glenullin turned in a superb second half display to overcome Con Magee’s Glenravel while on Saturday Swatragh lost out penalties to St Eunan’s in the junior hurling championship semi-final. 

This weekend the attention is firmly on the ladies of Steelstown and Lavey who contest the Ulster Intermediate and Junior football finals. Steelstown will face Glenravel in Carrickmore on Saturday while on Sunday Lavey will face Dungloe in Omagh. There will also be Derry interest in the senior final with Dungiven man Gregory McGonigle the manager of Armagh side Clann Eireann who face Down champions Bredagh.