Roarty ready to step up at senior level for Naomh Conaill

Naomh Conaill were back in action at U-21 level on Saturday after their seniors had won the Donegal senior championship six days earlier.

A number of the senior squad were on board with the U-21s as they drew with Four Masters on a perfect day for football in Davy Brennan Memorial Park.

One of the senior panel, Conor Roarty, was the stand-out player on the pitch but he was a little disappointed that they didn't end with the win as Four Masters came from five down to snatch the draw in added time.

"We let it slip towards the end but Four Masters are always a hard team to shake, even down through the years. Even last year when we met it was a game of two halves. They have a lot of the same players," said Roarty after the game.

"We thought we had it won, but we got a red card and let it slip. But the draw is good as it's the first outing and the first time together so there are plenty of positives to take.

"After the seniors winning last weekend, it was nice to get back out again. There was a bit of celebrations and a lot of boys were a wee bit shaky there from their time out on the town," he said.

The game turned in the final quarter when Naomh Conaill were reduced to 14 and then Conor Meehan's effort for a point ended up in the Naomh Conaill net.

"It looked like we had it under control. Then the red card kinda changed that game. Then they got a goal and a point and it was hard to come back from that when down a man. They had the momentum.

"He was going for a point and the goalkeeper nearly had it. The sun was blinding him, it hit the crossbar and hit back up into the net and that did change the game," said Roarty.

It was a special day for the Roartys as 17-year-old Finbarr also played his part at midfield.

"Finbarr is going well and that's the first time I played with him," revealed Conor. "With the four year rule I never got the chance to play with him until today.

Four Masters come from five down to draw with Naomh Conaill

Conor Meehan's lucky goal gave Four Masters a lifeline to escape with a share of the spoils

"There's a good team there but there's not one player that is starting on our senior team. But there is plenty of boys here coming up through the ranks."

Watching from the sidelines was senior team manager, Martin Regan, and he would have been impressed with several players, not least Conor Roarty, who is studying Construction Management at ATU Galway.

"Yeah, he was watching. He might send a call for a few boys to start in Ulster," laughs Roarty.

"I was involved in the panel but the older bucks in the team, you can't fault them. Anthony Thompson and them, they might be 36, 37 but you can't fault them. They are still going well and you can't put them out.

"You have to wait and be ready," said Roarty.