Donegal minors get their Ulster Minor League campaign under way against Cavan

The Donegal minors get their Ulster Minor League campaign under way this Saturday when they host Cavan in the opening game in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny (2pm)

Manager, Barry Ward, is back for another year and looking forward to a busy couple of months with the minor championship following on quickly after the Minor League.

Ward has most of last year’s management team also back in place with Donie McCole, Johnny Scanlon, Greg Sweeney, Callum Quinn, Joe McLoughlin and Damian McIntyre with Abbey VS teacher Pauric O’Donnell also involved this year. 

“We have a couple of students from Donegal ATU also giving a hand out,” said Ward.

“We have been training since Christmas and we have got the panel narrowed down. We’re down now to 34.

“I suppose it changes every year. There is a period of getting to know the players as people and as players. And then getting to look at the new rules and how to implement them.

“It’s been quite a sharp learning curve over the last couple of months, meeting players for the first time and still then having to look at the whole coaching aspect of it and implementing the new rules as well.

“Look, we have had a busy few months. We’ve had a number of challenge matches which has really helped. We’re quite happy. We have a fully fit panel going into Saturday, so that is one of the main things and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.”

It’s pretty much a new squad with just five from last year’s squad involved again this year - Tomás  Carr, Cathal McGee, Kalvin McLaughlin, Cathal Doherty and Matthew Enright.

Otherwise it is mostly last year’s U-16 squad with a few new faces.

“They have Buncrana Cup experience from last year and we have quite a number of them. But we also have a couple of other lads who wouldn’t have been involved in the panel last year. We attended quite a few U-16 games and talked to a number of lads who would have experience.

“We have made sure that there’s nobody out there who we feel should be involved. The net was spread,” said Ward, who said they had a few who are new to development squads.

“Christopher O’Donnell from Dungloe and Daithi Molloy from Glenties, neither would have been involved last year and both are a great benefit to the panel this year.

“You always have to be looking out. It’s impossible to  get to every game but talking to people who are involved at that age level and trust in them. We have picked up a few and it’s good for the lads themselves too, that it’s not a closed shop.

“It’s making sure we have the best bunch of players available to us.”

The league starts with Cavan at home and then Fermanagh away the following Saturday.

“Then hopefully a semi-final after that. It’s three groups of three with the winners and the highest loser going through as well.”

The Ballyshannon  man says the Ulster Minor Championship draw is set to be made on March 31st with two groups, one of five teams and one of four.

“We’re not sure yet when we will be out but once it gets going it’s pretty much week after week.  We’re looking forward to it now. You have all the work done. You’re looking forward to getting the boys going on Saturday now in a competitive game.”

One of the big challenges for the coaching team is preparing the boys for the new rules and they had to do this while some of the panel were involved with their schools and clubs playing under the old rules.

“It was just a case of looking after those lads too. A lot of those lads have had a lot of football between the club and the schools so far this year. We have given them plenty of breathing space and integrated them very slowly back into the panel.

“Look, they are smart guys and they are well up to speed now.

“We are playing under the new rules and there is an added rule for minors that any dissent is a black card. That was brought in at underage level. If there are any changes made, it will be the same for minors.

“We’ve all got to take on board and adapt with it.”

The new focus on discipline is not just for the players but for the management teams as well.

“The fact that you are gone for 10 minutes is a strict punishment. You might get caught once but hopefully you don’t get caught at all.

“I suppose it is about bringing respect for officials. We always looked at rugby as a game that had that and I suppose it is taking a step in that direction.

“There’s discipline on and off the pitch and it is all good habits and good behaviour. In fairness to the lads, they are a good bunch and they are well aware of the punishments and they have been very good so far,” said Ward.