Donegal teenager Conor McCahill very much a student of the game 

Conor McCahill has two huge games to look forward to at the weekend with both Donegal and Abbey Vocational School. 

First up on Saturday night is a huge NFL opener for Jim McGuinness’ side against Dublin at Croke Park.

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The Donegal Town teenager again impressed for Donegal, getting on the scoreboard in the side’s McKenna Cup final win over Monaghan last Saturday night in Omagh. 

If that wasn’t enough, the Four Masters clubman also has a MacRory Cup semi-final tangle with St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon to look forward to on Sunday. 

Speaking after that win in Healy Park against the Farney outfit, McCahill admitted that it was difficult not to get excited about the prospect of a first ever runout on Jones Road. 

“I’ve never played in Croke Park in my life,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been aiming towards, the league, I  mean. 

“But to be going up the road as part of the Donegal squad looking for minutes on the field, that’s exciting. 

“But the league overall, it’s about improving and finding just wee learnings in everything we’re doing”. 

With such a hectic schedule and with McCahill also set to be an integral part of the Donegal U-20s, it’s certainly a busy time. 

But he says it’s all about soaking up as much knowledge right now when there is such momentum. 

“It probably sounds busy but with the training load managed it’s really the games that tick you over. It’s exciting and you just have to live in the moment and hope that the games just go your way”.

The player explains that making the step up to the Donegal senior set-up has opened his eyes in terms of planning, plotting and looking to push onto the next level.  

“It’s been a great experience so far. Coming along with the group to these opening games, it just sort of familiarises you with a sort of routine. 

“It gives you confidence as well and winning games has definitely helped with that. To have been afforded the opportunity to be asked up, I’m really fortunate as it’s every player's dream to play for their county. 

“And the entire group, it’s a really good one and the atmosphere is brilliant. It’s been very positive and it’s been enjoyable so far. 

“Right away, they were accommodating, the same too with the coaches and management, they are so professional. 

“We’re learning and we’re looking to improve. And to be looking forward to the league now, we are well aware that’s a big step up”. 

McCahill barely remembers McGuinness’ run first time around, but does have vague recollections of the likes of Karl Lacey and Paul Durcan injecting real colour and excitement into life around Donegal Town at the time. 

“I was five years old in 2012 so the memories are vague. But 2014 and the likes, yeah, I just remember the colour and hype. 

“So many of the new lads into the set-up probably took the interest from that time. Four Masters were lucky enough to have players involved back then so you couldn’t miss it”.

And what has it been like working under McGuinness these past few months? 

“He’s been brilliant. He’s really high standards and as long as you aim for that he’s happy.  He doesn’t mind you making mistakes as long as you’re giving it everything. 

“I feel like I’m learning all the time, I’m sure it’s the exact same for the rest of the new lads. There is a huge respect there within the group for the management. 

“And it’s the same the other way. You can see that the established lads are really close with the management. And we’re building that same sort of bond now too. 

“We all had our initiation songs to sing, mine was a Christmas one… that’s all I’m going to say! But it’s a fun environment where you’re just looking to make an improvement every single week”.