An 18th birthday to follow historic Donegal debut for Finbarr Roarty
Jim McGuinness praised the performance of 17-year-old Finbarr Roarty, who made his Donegal debut having not yet featured his club's seniors - the first player on record ever to do so
Finbarr Roarty is understood to have become the first player ever to line out for Donegal seniors before making his senior club debut.
The St Columba’s Glenties Comprehensive student, who turns 18 on Thursday, is a clubman of Naomh Conaill and made his first Donegal appearance in the Dr McKenna Cup opener against Armagh in Ballybofey.
The teen saw plenty of the ball before he and his clubmate Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí made way after 51 minutes to a rousing reception in Donegal’s 3-16 to 1-6 win. Kevin McGettigan, Ciaran Moore, Seanan Carr, Oisin Caulfield and Daithí Roberts all joined Roarty in making their senior inter-county bows.
“I thought the young lads all did very well, Finbarr in particular,” manager Jim McGuinness said afterwards. “For 17 it’s hard to believe. He hasn’t even trained with his club at senior level yet he’s pulling on the jersey to make his debut at county level.
“He has done really well in pre-season. He’s physical and tenacious for his age and his stature and he’s getting better on the ball all the time. We’re very happy with his performance.”
Although records are sketchy, the last Donegal player to come near such a feat was Paul Carr, who made his senior inter-county against Longford at a snowy Fintra in February of 1980.
It’s recalled that Carr, who was only 16, had played only one half of senior football for St Eunan’s before replacing Downings’ Hughie McClafferty in the 3-4 to 2-6 win. Carr went on to win the All-Ireland U-21 championship with Donegal in 1982 and was a panel member for the capturing of Sam Maguire by Brian McEniff’s team 10 years later.