Killybegs determined to take the extra step and lift the U21 C title

Killybegs missed out on Under-21 C glory last year in the final, but they are looking to make that extra step this year and win the title.

The side lost last year’s decider to neighbours St Naul’s in Convoy by two points, and it was a disappointing end to the campaign.

But with twelve of the men that featured that day starting in Sunday’s opening win against Naomh Muire, defender Ben Conneely is hoping they can push towards glory this season.

“There was big hurt after last year, being a local derby too but they got that edge over us so hopefully we can take home the trophy this year.

“There’s no other doubt in our mind that we have to go on that extra step this year, so hopefully now we can push on.

“We have a few boys who came on near the end from minors that made the difference and it’s good to have them keeping you honest, you’re trying to bring them on too, and use your bit of experience to coach them through the game.

“We only lost three men from last year, we lost Christopher Mulligan, who was our main man, but with the minors coming up and some of us playing senior this year, it fills that void a bit.”

Conneely made his senior championship debut this year for the first team in their win over Termon, and he started all five games as Pauric Bonner’s side made the preliminary quarter-finals, before losing out to eventual winners Naomh Conaill.

Edward McHugh, Eoin Mulligan, Joseph McGrory, and Gavin Doherty all played parts in the senior side this season and line out for the 21s, while 21s captain Josh Colyer was missing on Sunday but was in nets for the seniors, so there is good experience in the side playing at the highest level of Donegal club football.

“It’s massive. When you’re playing with that quality of players, then it brings boys along with it.

“There are boys here who have been training with the seniors all year, and that intensity against bigger, stronger and faster men makes some difference and it brings the conditioning up, which came up trumps in the end. We seemed that bit fitter than them.

“The ones who weren’t in the senior team were up here after senior training, pushing on that wee bit more to get that higher fitness and dogging themselves.

“The substitutes helped massively cause there were some heavy legs out there coming towards the end and we needed that extra bit of edge in the final 15 minutes.”

Managed by Hugh McFadden, who was missing on Sunday as he is in Cancún with the Donegal senior team, the side got off to a poor start against Naomh Muire in Fintra as they trailed for over 45 minutes of the game due to the concession of two first half goals, but they got their noses in front in added time and held on to win by 0-13 to 2-6.

“Hugh is managing but he’s out enjoying himself in the sun at the minute!” Conneely quipped.

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“But we have Sean Gorrell there putting in a massive bit of work, then Sean Murrin, Rory Colyer, Eoghan Gallagher, and Callum Quinn. There are a good few boys buying into it this year and hopefully we can on that extra step.

“We gave away two sloppy goals at the start of the game which didn’t help us, but in the second half we finally took control, managed to win the breaking ball and boys were diving to block the shots.

“It was slippy and conditions were tough, but it was good to win by the point.

“Our ‘keeper (Elliott Byrne) made a couple of savage saves, and he tipped one on to the crossbar coming down the stretch. If that went in, we could have been in bother so we’re thankful for that.”