Donegal Minors looking forward to Tyrone challenge on Saturday

Donegal minors had it very much their own way in the opening game of the Ulster Minor Championship on Saturday last in Donagh as they defeated Fermanagh by 3-13 to 1-4.

They were never really troubled once they led by six points at the break, 2-4 to 0-4, after playing into the teeth of Storm Kathleen.

This Saturday will be a much tougher test as Donegal host Tyrone in MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey with a 12 noon throw-in.

Those two first half goals against the win on Saturday were vital and team captain, Gaoth Dobhair’s Jordi Gribben, was really happy with his team’s performance.

“Yeah, look we have big Paddy (Ward) in full-forward and he got the two goals. It was very difficult playing against that breeze. I suppose we were lucky with that second goal. Conor (McCahill) shot and the breeze caught it and he tapped it in.

“Once we got hold of the breaking balls we were all over them. So looking forward now to the next game against Tyrone in Ballybofey,” said Gribben, but he knows it will be a much tougher test.

“Tyrone, we know what they are going to come with. And we’re just going to have to match them and that’s all we’re going to do,” said Gribben, who agreed they would know more about themselves after this Saturday’s game.

Donegal manager, Barry Ward, was very upbeat after the performance against Fermanagh, especially in the way his players dealt with the very difficult conditions.

"The first half was always going to be difficult. A gale again, just like the Down game in Ballyshannon (Ulster Minor League semi-final). The last two outings have been very poor conditions for trying to play football," said Ward.

"Look, we were happy with our six point lead at half-time. We came out in the second half, when you're with the breeze, you probably think it's going to do more for you, but again it was difficult to play with it even, because it was gusting there and you could see some balls went wide on the far side and on other times were bending wide on the near side.

"It took a while to adapt to playing with it. But after 10 minutes of the second half we really played some good football and I think the boys were excellent," said Ward.

The first half performance by Donegal was impressive and an early Paddy Ward goal set them on their way. Ward got his hand to a Conor McCahill effort for a point late in the half and it meant that they had a six point advantage at the break.

"I think we controlled it very well. They had 15 men behind the ball even though they had the breeze. It was difficult to try and cut holes. Again the second goal, big Paddy's (Ward) there and that's what he's there for. We ensured that anything that fell short Paddy was on it and I thought he was excellent today.

"He fed off scraps, but he got a foul at the start, he kicked a point and was involved in the goal. I was very happy with him," said the manager.

Donegal's focus will now turn to Tyrone, who they meet in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Saturday next and that will be a much tougher test.

"We learned a lot today. We had five subs on there and Donnacha (Ó Baoighill) when he came on and Shane McCormick and Thomas McDevitt, they were really excellent. Again we're making sure we have options in all areas of the pitch for next weekend.

"For the last number of years, Tyrone at underage have always been good but these are the teams you want to be playing and we'll be looking forward to it.

"The first  game out, it's championship football and there are going to be mistakes, but you learn from that there and move on to the next day," said Ward.