McCann content for Donegal to be up and running ‘but bigger challenges await’ 

Mickey McCann admitted that Derry’s U-20 side simply couldn’t match their more experienced and superiorly conditioned hosts Donegal on Saturday 

Donegal got their Conor McGurk Cup campaign off the mark with a 4-25 to 1-8 drubbing of Derry in Convoy. The win now pushes Donegal through to a semi-final on Tuesday night. 

“We won’t be reading too much into today,” said McCann after. “It was Derry’s U-20 side, a team that won the All-Ireland B last term. 

“But physically, our senior set-up are a wee bit ahead. Still, we got a good look at the lads, ran the bench. 

“And it’s good to get everyone together again. We’re into the semi-final now against Fermanagh on Tuesday night. And we’ll see can we get to another final”. 

The good news for McCann right away, after Christmas, is that all his Setanta contingent are back on board despite the Cross’ men’s march all the way to an Intermediate All-Ireland semi-final. 

If that wasn’t enough, Sean McVeigh has also come back on board after sitting out last term. 

“We’re very happy with what we have and we’re trying to build on that. We’ve taken a lot of young lads in and it’s a good step up. 

“We’re in a good place. Sean McVeigh is back in there and it’s brilliant to have him involved. 

He’s too good not to be playing at this level”. 

He added: “We’ve plenty to aim for. The Nickey Rackard is the main aim but the league will also be full pelt. We’ve competition for places and that means everyone is looking to go full pelt”.