Two Donegal players had a night to remember in the McKenna Cup as they turned 21

The result mightn’t have gone their way but two young men on the Donegal panel will certainly remember their 21st birthdays for some time to come.

Johnny McGroddy from Downings and St Eunan’s Kieran Tobin both reached the milestone today, Wednesday, whilst lining out for Donegal in their 0-15 to 2-7 loss to Monaghan in the Dr McKenna Cup. They were both born on January 11, 2002.

McGroddy, a third year Arts student at DCU, kicked a fine point on his first ever senior outing on Sunday against Down in Newry, when he was a second half substitute and tonight, he made his first start for the seniors and kicked two frees. 

Youthful Donegal show glimpses in the rain in narrow loss to Monaghan

Paddy Carr's first home match as Donegal manager ended up in defeat to Monaghan, who kicked the last two scores in the rain at MacCumhaill Park, on a night when there were five debutants

A third year Business Studies student at ATU Donegal in the middle of his exams, Tobin made his first appearance for Donegal tonight against Monaghan, coming off the bench with 14 minutes to play for Marty O’Reilly. The pair were part of the Donegal U-20’s last season with Gary Duffy’s side winning the Leo Murphy Cup.

Paddy Carr says Donegal player juggle has been frustrating

New Donegal boss Paddy Carr has had to share a number of his squad with others as colleges and club commitments continue to tug at players' energies and attentions

On Tuesday night, Tobin played for ATU against DCU, who had McGroddy on the panel in the Sigerson Cup at the Donegal GAA Centre, with the Dublin college winning out on a scoreline of 4-15 to 1-7.

Gavin Mulreany from St Naul's, Naomh Columba's Philip Doherty, Kealan Dunleavy of Glenswilly all made their senior debuts against Monaghan.