Settled squad has helped Letterkenny Gaels push to the Junior 'A' final

Letterkenny Gaels are hoping to make an immediate return to the Intermediate Championship when they face Carndonagh on Saturday in O’Donnell Park (throw-in 4pm).

The Páirc na nGael men were beaten by Burt in last year’s relegation play-off after two years in the second tier, and they had to build again coming into this season.

A fifth-place finish in Division 3 under new manager Aidy Glackin got them building towards the championship, although a slow start with a narrow win over Naomh Colmcille and a defeat to Carndonagh was less than ideal in Group B.

But they picked up big wins against Moville, Naomh Ultan, and Robert Emmets to reach the semi-final, where a dramatic 5-14 to 2-19 extra-time win over Naomh Bríd got them into the final.

And captain Darren Hunter put it down to a more settled squad who have adapted well to the new rules.

“I’d say you’re looking at a young team for the most part, excluding myself. We have a lot of young lads, and it probably does suit us.

“We’ve got a more settled team now, and that’s probably why we’re pushing on a bit, the same boys are getting on the field week in, week out and that has probably been our biggest asset this season.

“You had people away, work commitments and injuries and all of that, different things but thankfully it has come a bit more settled at the right time of the year, and we’re grateful for that.”

The rule changes have been something that players have had to adapt to throughout the season, but managers have had to deal with that too and for Glackin, who was only appointed as manager eleven months ago, admits it’s still taking getting used to, but the changes have been for the better, entertainment-wise.

“Against Naomh Bríd in the first half, we really didn’t play to the level that we are able to play to, and they hit eleven points.

“Luckily enough, we had the three goals, but if you’re playing defensively against a team and they get a run on you, then it can be very hard to turn it around.

“Nowadays, you’re not set up that way and you’re back on the attack right away every time you get the ball and a lot of the time, you can see it with the All-Ireland final, the teams with the forwards are coming out on top.

“I think overall, for the people watching, it has made it a far better game.

“It’s one of those ones where you think you have control, and for about ten minutes in the semi-finals, it proved that the game just ended up in chaos and into a shootout, which makes for a great watch but it's frustrating for management.

“At the end of the league, we were probably a bit more defensive, whereas in the championship, we are starting to find the balance.

“It’ll take people a year or two years to get to the best of it, but you’re always watching other teams that are doing it well, the likes of Kerry.

“There are club teams in Donegal who are doing it very well, and you’re picking up bits and pieces from all the games you’re watching.”