Conor McCahill enjoying the U-20 journey with Donegal

Conor McCahill is probably the youngest member of the Donegal U-20 starting team but also one of the most important as he is a proven goalscorer despite his young age.

Still in fifth year at the Abbey VS, Donegal Town, McCahill fired home his trademark goal to get Donegal going on Wednesday night last as Donegal eased past Cavan and into the Ulster final.

Now on this Wednesday night, he will face old foes Tyrone in the decider in Owenbeg, Derry and the Donegal management will be hoping he can keep his scoring exploits going.

“Yeah, it’s nice to be involved. This team is full of talent and we’re just showcasing it now at the minute.

“We just need to put our heads down now and get ready for the final,” said McCahill looking forward to the decider.

“I was just happy, happy with the scores and the way we kinda worked them and stuff. It just goes to show we can play as a team as well as individuals.

On Wednesday evening Cavan threatened to spoil the party early on when Niall Magee availed of a  lucky break to put them 1-1 to 0-2 ahead. But almost immediately Cian McMenamin pointed for Donegal and then Conor McCahill broke clear to find the Cavan net and after that Donegal had it all their own way in romping to a 4-19 to 2-7 victory.

“It was a big score for them but we kinda settled and played our own game. We worked it in and we got the scores,” said McCahill.

The Four Masters man then provided the assist for his teammate Seanán Carr, who won and scored a penalty for the second goal, albeit a re-taken spot kick.

“I don’t know what happened. He kinda mis-hit it a bit but he made sure with the second one.”

After that McCahill agreed that it was an easy enough win. “It was comfortable but then Cavan nicked on a few scores which we knew was going to happen. But we just stuck to the plan again and kept going and the subs did the job at the end up.”

Donegal brought on four subs at the one time, a la the Bomb Squad in South African rugby terms including county senior Finnbarr Roarty and another of McCahill’s Four Masters teammates Turlough Carr.

“It was some sight,” laughs McCahill. “But they did their job and that’s brilliant.”

The strength of the squad is something that was very evident in the Donegal win over Cavan.

“That’s what we are looking for, a strong bench, strong finishers.”

Unlike most of the Donegal squad who are either in college or doing their Leaving Cert, McCahill says he has it easy being in fifth year and having no exams this year.

“I’m able to relax for now anyway,” laughs McCahill.

But overall it has been some year for the Four Masters man. He won a second Ulster minor championship with his club and reached the MacRory Cup final with Abbey VS which culminated in him winning a Colleges All-Star.

When Donegal last met Tyrone in MacCumhaill Park in the group stages, McCahill struck for a vital goal at the start of the second half to put Donegal on their way to victory. How he would love to repeat that on Wednesday night.