Goalkeeper Gillen cleared to play in Ulster minor final

KILREA manager Vinnie McKenna will have a full hand to pick from ahead of Sunday's final against Down champions Burren at St Paul's (1.30).

Goalkeeper Aidan Gillen was sent off in the final quarter of their semi-final win over Carrickmore but has since been cleared.  It's welcome news for Kilrea as they aim to take the Jimmy McConville Cup back to Derry for the 16th time.

It is understood Down referee G Finnegan reviewed his decision from Monday's semi-final and changed Gillen's red card to a yellow card.  Kilrea were informed of the news by St Paul's on Tuesday morning, leaving their goalkeeper available for selection.

Up through the ranks in Derry, Kilrea had battles with Dungiven and lost the U16 final two seasons ago by 16 points.

This season, in a change of fortunes Kilrea turned the tables to take glory at minor level.  A man of the match performance from Larry Kielt (0-7), goals from Conor Gillen (penalty) and Oran McAteer saw Kilrea defeat Dungiven 2-10 to 0-11 in the final.

In Ulster, Vinnie McKenna's side defeated champions Crossmaglen in the preliminary round. With the introduction of captain Gearoid McLaughlin at half-time they staged a surging second half performance to put Glenties to the sword in the quarter-final.

Paddy Quigg's masterclass and a tally of 1-7, including two late frees, was enough to see off Carrickmore on Monday but the victory almost came at a cost with the dismissal of goalkeeper Aidan Gillen.  Pivotal forward Niall Johnston deputised in the closing stages of the semi-final.

Paths to the final Kilrea 1-14 Crossmaglen 0-13 Kilrea 2-21 Glenties 2-7 Kilrea 1-11 Carrickmore 2-7

Burren 0-10 Dunloy 0-7 Burren 5-15 Enniskillen 2-4

Derry's minor record in Ulster Slaughtneil, Kilrea, Dungiven, Loup (2), Bellaghy (2), Ballinderry (4) and Glen (4) have all returned from Belfast as champions.  After Glen's four-in-a-row, it was Crossmaglen who lifted the title last year.

Kilrea's previous success came in 2007 when James Kielt skippered an all-conquering side that won every honour up through the underage grades.

In 2004 Kilrea were defeated by Down's Rostrevor in the final, a game remembered for the atrocious weather with the referee threatening to abandon the game such was the conditions.

Derry's Winners 1990 - Dungiven 1991 - Bellaghy 1993 - Loup 1994 - Bellaghy 1995 - Loup 1996 - Ballinderry 1997 - Ballinderry 1998 - Slaughtneil 2001 - Ballinderry 2007 - Kilrea 2008 - Ballinderry 2011 -  Glen 2012 - Glen 2013 - Glen 2014 - Glen