Champions Gaoth Dobhair up against Naomh Conaill in the U-21 semi-finals

Gaoth Dobhair are hoping to take another step on the road to back-to-back U21A championship titles when they face Naomh Conaill in the last four on Sunday.

The game in O’Donnell Park (throw-in 12 noon) is the first semi-final of this season's U21A championship.

The side is managed once again by senior championship-winning corner-back, Christopher McFadden.

They face a young and inexperienced Naomh Conaill side under the guidance of club stalwart, James ‘Plumber’ Boyle.

The reigning champions take an unbeaten three-game run into the contest following wins over Glenswilly, Termon and St Eunan’s in the group stages.

They topped Group A to achieve automatic qualification for the semi-final.

Naomh Conaill topped Group B with two wins and one draw. They drew with Four Masters first day out in Davy Brennan Memorial Park and then recorded away wins over both MacCumhaills and Aodh Ruadh.

They defeated the Ballyshannon lads 0-15 to 2-7 despite being with county panellist Finbarr Roarty.

And with Danny Brown, Shea Malone, Daniel Gildea and Tiarnan Ward in fine scoring form, they came through against the Ernesiders with two points to spare.

Brian McGeehin was joint manager of St Eunan’s along with Paul McGover n and saw Gaoth Dobhair up close.

St Eunan’s played Gaoth Dobhair in Magheragallon in the second round and ended up being well beaten.

“It was an even game in the first half and we were just a point down at half-time,” said the St Eunan’s club man.

“But Gaoth Dobhair came out in the secondhalf and they were a different side. They pushed up on us and penned us back in our own half.

“They scored a goal just after the start of the second-half and they scored a second goal later on. They turned us over time after time and we had no answer to them.

“Donal Mac Giolla Bhride had a huge game for them in the middle of the field. But overall they were very well organised, defended in numbers and hit us on the break.

“I was very impressed with them and I think they will be hard to beat and I fancy them at this stage to go all the way and defend their title.”

Christopher McFadden has up to nine of last year’s team available to him again this season including Daithi Roberts, Sean Gallagher, Aodhan Breathnach, Cian McEntee, Darragh Ferry, Cathal de Búrca, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde and Eoin de Búrca.

“It's great to have all the boys back again but we also lost a number of key forwards from last season, men like Fiachra Coyle, Stephen Doyle McFadden and Cathal Gillespie, all good forwards.

“And as we all know good forwards are hard to replace. But we are looking forward to the semi-final and knowing Naomh Conaill they are going all out to win.

“We are expecting a hard game and hopefully we will come out on the right side of the result.”

Both Finbarr Roarty and Donal Mac Giolla Bhride are away with Donegal seniors on their training camp in Tenerife this week. But with Donegal returning on Saturday they are expected to feature in that clash in O’Donnell Park.