Donegal minors begin their Ulster Minor League campaign in Cavan on Saturday

Donegal Minors get their season underway on Saturday when they travel to play Cavan in Kingspan Breffni Park (12 noon) in the opening game of the Ulster Minor League.

Under the management of Aodh Ruadh’s Barry Ward, the panel have been preparing well over the last month with a number of challenge games against Roscommon, Sligo and Kildare.

The panel trains on Mondays and Wednesdays with their challenge matches at the weekend.

“Things have been good. We have been training away since Christmas. We have had a couple of challenge matches and all is going well,” said Ward.

But while they have been preparing, they have been doing so alongside the success of a good number of their players at schools level.

“There are a number of players involved with AVS (Donegal Town) and Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana as well and both teams won All-Ireland semi-finals on Saturday.

“Some guys are getting a lot of football so it is just about managing their workload between training and games and making sure they are fresh for both ourselves and for their schools,” said Barry, who said it was similar with the Four Masters minor team who were successful in Ulster this year.

“We have seven involved from Four Masters and it was just making sure that we had regard for both. It is great to see that players are achieving success at school and club level, so it all bodes well for us as well,” said Ward.

The Ballyshannon man is fully aware that the players involved have to be managed correctly.

“They are only young lads, they are 15, 16 years of age. We have got to be careful with them, listen to them. Callum (Quinn) and their trainers, Donie (McCole) and Johnny (Scanlon), are making sure they are tailoring it, letting them step out where possible. A couple of evenings they haven’t trained at all,

“Listen, it is just about trying to have a sensible approach to it and making sure that they  are training well and are healthy for the up and coming games.”

The Donegal Minor panel 2024

The Ulster Minor League is divided into three sections with three teams in each section and is run off similarly to the Dr McKenna Cup at senior level.

Donegal play Cavan on Saturday and their second game in their group is the following Wednesday against Fermanagh at home in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

Ward will be aiming to top the group and that would guarantee a semi-final on Saturday March 16th, while the final is scheduled for Saturday March 23rd.

“It is run off in three weeks really. From the 2nd to the final, it is quite a short window and that’s a little disappointing because if someone picks up a small injury they could miss the entire Minor League. But look, it’s the same for every minor team.”

With the tight schedule and Abbey VS and Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana involved in All-Ireland finals it is not ideal. While it hasn’t been confirmed, it looks as if the schools finals will be on March 9th, which avoids a clash.

But for the Donegal minor management, the focus is very much on Cavan on Saturday.

“While we have Fermanagh four days later, we are not looking beyond Saturday and making sure that everyone is healthy. We will be going at it looking for a performance. That’s the be all and end all of it.

“The lads are setting high standards at the minute and we take that into Saturday and see where that takes us.”

With the panel named at the beginning of February, Ward says that all 34 will be needed because of the tough schedule.

“Absolutely, because we will have to make changes for the following Wednesday. I’m sure there will be a few knocks. But the league is about taking a look at players and you have to give them the chance.

“Any challenge matches we have been playing, we are making sure that everyone is getting plenty of game time and we are alternating players up and down between teams.

“You don’t know what’s out there and how they react in different positions. It is a chance. We are lucky in Ulster to have the Minor League, other provinces don’t have it. We are lucky here that we can get to see fellas in competitive games.”

There is even more importance attached to the Ulster Minor League this year as finishing positions will be taken into consideration when draws are being made for the minor championship (which is set to begin on Saturday 6th April).

The entire minor championship is different this year with three tiers after the provincial championship is completed. To be in contention to win the Markham Cup, you have to reach the provincial final.

“It gives an added importance to the league and I’m sure every team is looking to get into the top tier. We’ll be looking to get playing at the highest level we can.”

But before that it is all about the Minor League with the players involved with Abbey and Scoil Mhuire having an All-Ireland colleges final to deal with.

“You would hate for any player to miss any games, they are all important. We are doing the best we can that these guys are involved in those games and are fresh for them.

“It creates a small problem on one side, but I think the positives very heavily outweigh the negatives. It is great to see those lads being involved (in All-Ireland finals),” said Ward.

FULL DONEGAL MINOR PANEL FOR 2024

Four Masters: Aidan Quinn, Conor McCahill, Lewis McCaughan, Cian Gavigan, Patrick McGonigle, Turlough Carr, Tomás Carr

Gaoth Dobhair: Cathal Gallagher, Cathal McGee, Colm Doherty, Dallan O Bhaoil, Jordi Gribbin, Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride

Ardara: Cian McConnell, Gavin Sweeney, Eoghan Ban McNelis

Glenswilly: Matthew Enright, Pauric Devine, Paddy Ward

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin: Jamie McCauley, Cillian Doyle

Naomh Conaill: Max Campbell, Thomas McDevitt

Naomh Columba: Alex Cunnea

Letterkenny Gaels: Cathal Doherty

St Naul’s: Christian Ward

Cloughaneely: Donnachadh O Baoighill

Buncrana: Elliott Friel

Naomh Brid: Eoin Gallagher

MacCumhaill’s: Fionn McGinty

Carndonagh: Kalvin McLaughlin

St Eunan’s: Luke McGuinness

Pettigo: Ronan Maher

Carndonagh: Sean O’Carroll

Glenfin: Shane McCormick