We just couldn’t get our noses in front - Donegal minor manager Karl Lacey

Donegal minors will have to go the long way to the Ulster final after losing out by a point to Cavan in the opening round in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday.

Manager Karl Lacey was happy with the second half performance but felt that his side just couldn’t get their noses in front at the vital time.

In the proverbial game of two halves, Cavan were to the fore in the opening half while Donegal came strong in the second period.

“We were probably a little bit slower getting out of the blocks. But then in the second quarter they got back into it and the goal came at a nice time for us as well,” was Lacey’s first reaction to the game.

“They're young lads and it's a huge experience, also for a championship, playing at that level. It's just a great challenge.”

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Lacey agreed that Cavan were the more physical outfit and that was probably a factor in their domination of the opening 20 minutes.

“In the first half we were trying to get out with the ball. They were pressing high and pressing hard and they were tackling hard. But I said to them (at half-time), that's championship, that's the reality.

“It doesn't matter who you're playing, you're not going to get anything easy. They dealt with that and we moved the ball a wee bit quicker in the second half.  That was key for us, that we weren't getting caught up in them tackles and caught in a 50-50 situation.

“We just couldn’t get our noses in front,” said Lacey, who was reluctant to talk about a few decisions that seemed to go against his side.

“I’m not one for getting into (discussing referees). They’re doing their job. What I have found is that they seem to be giving refs experience at minor level. They’re only starting to referee at this level, so they’re finding their feet as well.

“It’s not easy and even at the end there. It was a free when we were pushed out and we weren’t able to take the free quickly. The rule is, move it forward. It took a whole minute as there was a schemozzle. He didn’t play that minute when the free was taken,” said Lacey.

But overall, Lacey had no excuses. He said having to leave early in the morning for a game in Cavan may have been a factor in the slow start but he was happy that they had fought hard in the second half.

The game also saw the return to the field of Danny Og Cooney and Lacey felt his introduction gave the team a boost.

“He's been a big miss. Getting him back in was a great lift and he came through well. We'll move on and see what the draw brings.”

The manager said that a lot of boys were sore after a tough game with niggles and knocks, one of whom was Niall McBrearty with Lacey agreeing that he had a very good game.

“We just came up short. We had our chances with Mark Anthony (McGuinness) and Oisin Mullen both denied goal chances. They just didn’t go in for us. This was a good test and they’ve come through the test. They know they’re not far away. It was the same in the league. It was a kick of a ball at the end of the day.

“We just have to keep the heads down now and knuckle away. It’s all about development,” said Lacey.