An 18th birthday to follow historic Donegal debut for Finbarr Roarty

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.

Roarty made a dream start when he got down the right of the Armagh defence and passed the ball inside for Michael Langan to slam home a goal on 70 seconds.

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.”

Donegal open McGuinness's second spell with a simple win over youthful Amagh

Armagh played their U-20 side against Donegal in the Dr McKenna Cup, and Jim McGuinness's team were comfortable victors with Michael Langan and Oisin Gallen hitting 1-4 apeice

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.