Donegal minors in Newry to take on Down in round 3 of Ulster Minor Championship

Donegal minors, after winning their opening two games in the Ulster Minor Championship, head to Newry this Saturday (12 noon) to face Down in their group game.

The game is fixed for 12 noon in Pairc an Iuir and Barry Ward's charges will have plenty of motivation for the fixture as they lost out by a point to Down in the Ulster Minor League semi-final in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon. They lost out in that game by 2-6 to 1-8, the crucial score, a Down goal just on the stroke of half-time in gale force wind conditions.

That goal against the wind proved the difference between the sides on the day.

Since then the Donegal side have bounced back with a big win over Fermanagh in Donagh in the first round of the championship and two weeks ago put in their best performance to date with victory over Tyrone in Fr. Tierney Park.

The winning margin of seven points (2-12 to 1-8) did not flatter Donegal, who were superb. They were always in control and but for a soft goal in the final 10 minutes for Tyrone, the margin could have been even greater.

But this Saturday will provide them with a stiffer test, especially as they go into Down's back yard. Down's season probably hangs on this game as they lost their opening two fixtures to Tyrone (2-7 to 1-7) and Monaghan (1-17 to 1-13).

Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone have four points while Fermanagh and Down are pointless in the group. Tyrone, though, have played three games.

Donegal vice-captain, Conor McCahill, says the Down defeat in the Ulster Minor League really motivated the team for the championship and he was looking forward to playing Down again.

“We have a lot of motivation now. We want to get back at them now for what happened here (in the league semi-final). That wasn’t us that day, that wasn’t near us that day, so we will be a different animal going to Down.

“Every team is brilliant in Ulster. It’s the hardest competition in Ireland. As long as we get into the knock-out stages in Tier 1 we will be flying," said McCahill.

The other fixture in the group on Saturday sees Tyrone host Monaghan while Donegal's final game is at home to Monaghan on Saturday week.