‘Disappointing’ week but Leo McLoone getting on with business

Leo McLoone admits it’s been a testing week for Donegal GAA but, he says, the start of the U-20 campaign means he simply cannot afford to let background rumblings be any kind of distraction. 

His young Donegal charges lost out to Derry in Owenbeg by 1-14 to 0-12. With the landscape remaining turbulent following Karl Lacey stepping away from his role as Academy Head,  it was perhaps a relief for McLoone and his management team of Eamon McGee, Colm McFadden and Owenie McGarvey to get down to business in theLeo Murphy Cup. 

In a show of solidarity for Lacey, his departure was followed by a mass resignation from all coaches in the county - believed to be numbered at approximately 40 - with only McLoone’s management team with the U-20s and the U-17 panel, who are managed by Luke Barrett, remaining in place for now.

Still, the Naomh Conaill man explained that now the action has started, his attention has to remain trained on the matter at hand. 

“There are alot of things going on with the county board and the Academy,” he said. “It’s disappointing that Karl has stepped away. But, as you can see, we’ve plenty to contend ourselves with here. That has to be the focus”. 

Donegal had led 0-4 to 0-2 inside the first quarter against Derry but, by the midpoint, the hosts would depart 0-9 to 0-5 in front. Charlie Diamond’s goal on 34 minutes then helped open up a seven-point deficit and it felt like the visitors might find themselves cast adrift on the scoreboard from that point on. 

But - to their credit - Donegal dug in and nearing the end had managed to reel themselves back in to within three. However, Derry would steady themselves to kick the last two points of the game to eventually win out by five.  

 McLoone explained: “We have a lot of bits and pieces to get together. But it’s good to get looking at players. There is the coaching aspect of it, the getting the players fit part of it. So we have a busy schedule in front of us.

"Derry are All-Ireland champions at this grade. There are some great players in that side. We weren’t happy with the first-half but we were happy with how they battled back into it. We went seven down but we found a reaction. 

“We’ve plenty to work on. The lads know that themselves as well”.

He added: “I was also very pleased with the fellas that came in off the sideline. They made impacts, scoring impacts. And even the lads we didn’t get a look at today, the aim will be to get a look at everyone now over the next few weeks. We’ll have a better idea then where we’re at”.

Following the weekend’s visit to the Oak Leafers, Donegal now look forward to hosting Sligo next Saturday before finishing up their group section with another away tie in Mayo. They open their Ulster championship at home to Antrim towards the end of March.  

“Sligo at home and Mayo away, they’ll be two good tests. But that will bring us on, improve the boys. We’ll look back at this now during the week, look to improve and move on.

“The weeks will tumbleweed and it’s a quick season, the U-20 one. We are looking to pack a lot in before Antrim and championship. To be fair to the group, they’ve been very receptive towards all of that. 

“We have a very good management group and there is really good work being done there on the training field as well”.