Donegal begin Ulster Minor Championship in Donagh against Fermanagh

Donegal get their Ulster Minor Championship under way this Saturday when they travel to take on Fermanagh in Donagh (12 noon). The game was originally fixed for Brewster Park but was moved to Donagh on Wednesday.

Donegal are in a group of five alongside Fermanagh, Tyrone, Down and Monaghan.

“We’ve Fermanagh (away) and Tyrone (home) up first, then we have a weekend off, so there’s nice spacing in it. The original plan was that it would be four weeks in a row, but now we have a weekend off in the middle, which is good,” said manager, Barry Ward.

“We have used 27, 28 players in the league. We’ve blooded a lot of guys and they have all got game time and they will be needed over the next five weeks.

“It’s a nice position to be in.”

Donegal have already played Fermanagh in the Ulster Minor League, coming out on top in MacCumhaill Park by 2-9 to 0-5 and traditionally Fermanagh have been one of the weakest counties in the Ulster minor division. But Barry Ward is treating it the same as any Ulster championship clash.

“It’s a championship game and past records and anything like that, it goes out the window. It’s in Donagh and they’ll be going out to prove that wrong. We faced them already (in Minor League) and they are difficult opposition. It is very important that we are focussed on ourselves and making sure we are putting in a performance on Saturday.

“It’s not really who we are playing, it is all about us. We’ll be looking after our own ship.”

For Ward and Donegal, getting off to a winning start is vital if they are to be involved in the latter stages.

“Absolutely. You have your four games and our ambition is to top the group. With the teams that are in it, that’s going to be a challenge. Look, no matter who it was on Saturday, we’ll be looking for a performance from the lads.”

Last weekend Derry defeated Down in the Ulster Minor League final but judging by results overall, there doesn’t seem to be too much between the nine counties this year.

“Scorelines, we don’t know no more than ourselves, a lot of teams are using a lot of players. While it is a competitive competition, it’s doing the groundwork for the championship. I know looking at results, scorewise, there wouldn’t be an awful lot between all the teams.

“It looks like it is going to be a very tight championship and we’re glad to be involved and looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be a nice challenge over the next few weeks.”

The games in the minor league came thick and fast and Ward questions the schedule being so tight.

“It’s been a hectic enough schedule. If you were in a league final last week, you were heading straight into the championship this week. It has been very busy and you would have to ask the question, why is it all so quick? It’s an elite competition for young lads to be playing in and looking at training yesterday (Easter Monday), there was a nice buzz about them. I’m sure they are all looking forward to Saturday.”

Some of the team were in Croke Park on Sunday to cheer on Donegal in the Allianz Division 2 league final.

“They were chatting on Saturday about organising buses and things like that. They are off school for Easter and it was a great experience for them and a great day for Donegal on Sunday.

“We were in early on Monday and we will be in again on Wednesday evening, so it’s much the same schedule. We will meet in Donegal Town on Saturday morning and head up the road to Donagh, not a bad spin.  So just looking forward to getting up there and getting started,” said Ward.