Donegal minor captain Mark Wilkinson says full focus on Cavan and championship

When Donegal minor football captain Mark Wilkinson is not engaged in the big game, he usually has a hurl in his hand.

For, the towering Red Hugh’s man also plays hurling with Setanta, the only all-hurling club in the county.

“Yes, I play a bit of hurling too and I enjoy it as it complements your football also.”

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But for now, the full focus is on football and the big opening round clash with Ulster Shield champions Cavan in Breffni Park on Saturday.

Donegal played Antrim away in their first league game and were held to a draw in a contest where they would have been fancied to get the two points.

“We went there going for a win, so we were disappointed to only get one point. Antrim, to be fair, put it up to us for long periods and worked hard for the draw.

“The second game was against Monaghan in Convoy, who won by two points and then went on to win the Ulster Minor League, beating Tyrone in their own venue at The Rock so we are not that far away, really.

“We beat Armagh and Derry only beat us by a goal in the last minute in Owenbeg so that was a sore one to lose. But it is good motivation going into the championship for us.”

This is Wilkinson’s second year in the squad and is the team’s full-back, the custodian of the square in a position that has greatly changed in recent times.

“Yes, it is very different as you have to be very mobile and you are often pulled away all over the place, so you have to be able to adapt very quickly.

“But I enjoy playing in that position. You need to be very athletic to play this position.”

Wilkinson added that the Cavan tie was a “huge test in Breffni Park.”

“They have home advantage and we have to travel over two hours from Donegal.

“Home advantage will be a big boost to them, and they will be boosted by that recent win over Derry as a trophy is always a big incentive.

“We will be keen to show an improvement on our league displays as we believe there is a lot more in this team.”

And Donegal has the services of the multi-decorated player Karl Lacey, a four-time All-Star as manager.

“He is very well organised, professional and is very good at getting his message across and keeping things right.

“We are lucky to have such a great set-up and you can feel yourself getting better as time goes on.”

Lacey was a defender so his advice will have extra meaning for full-back Wilkinson.

Apart from Wilkinson, there are a few more crucial survivors from last year’s team.

“Oisin Mullan, Matthew McGinley and Ronan O’Donnell were all playing last year and they give us an extra bit of experience”.

And Donegal are also boosted by a number of St Eunan’s players who reached the final of the MacLarnon Cup.

“They had a great year last year and quite a few of them are in the squad.

“But we have not really found our true form yet and we will need to have it if we are to overcome Cavan.”

Cavan are favourites on paper, led by Jake Brady, but Wilkinson and Donegal will be hoping to put down a real marker at the weekend”.