Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin intend to make the most of Ulster opportunity 

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin are back on the Ulster JFC trail this weekend and boss Daniel McCauley says they are loving the experience. 

After defeating Antrim champions Naomh Comhghaill in convincing fashion in Letterkenny first day out, the Inishowen outfit now face Armagh standard bearers Collegeland, in Healy Park, Omagh, this coming Saturday (throw-in, 4pm). 

“It has taken us 35 years to get here and we are enjoying every minute,” said McCauley. “And what’s more, we intend to make the most of the experience and hopefully progress to the Ulster final.

“It has taken a while to get here and the players are enjoying the experience. The management are enjoying the experience of still training away, in the middle of November, looking forward to a big championship game in Ulster.  

“Club officials and the supporters are enjoying what is a whole new experience for the club. It is great to be heading to Healy Park on Saturday to play in a big Ulster championship game in the blue and gold of Naomh Padraig.

“It is something, with the exception of Caolan McColgan, Kevin Lynch, and maybe one or two others who have experience of playing for Donegal, none of the rest of the lads have ever played in Healy Park.

“We have all been to Healy Park on numerous occasions down the years supporting Donegal.  But on Saturday we are going there to play a big championship game in the colours of Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin, not only representing the club but also representing Donegal.”

The man who only last month guided the club to its first adult title, the Donegal Junior Football Championship crown, has no fear whatsoever that all the hype and excitement will get to the players. 

“These are a serious group of young men. They take the view that it has taken the club 35 years to get here and they are just determined to make the most of the opportunity that is ahead of them. 

“Their total focus is on Saturday’s game and the challenge Collegeland are going to bring and nothing will distract them from that.

“They have been in training since this time last year and have too much invested in the season to allow anything to get in their way or be distracted in any way.” 

Collegeland, a small rural club on the outskirts of Armagh city, are five-time Orchard champions. They defeated neighbours An Port Mór, in the Armagh final, after a replay. 

In provincial battle, they seen off the challenge of Down champions Dromara after extra-time. The winning margin in both games was a single point.  

“I watched them in their replay in Armagh and against Dromara in the Ulster quarter-final. They are a typical Armagh team and are a physically strong side.

“They came from five points down early in the second half against Dromara to win in extra-time and it was a similar story in the replay in Armagh. 

“They have a couple of very good inside forwards. Caolan McQuade scored 1-6 against Dromara, and most of the scores were from play and the full forward Adrian Treanor is a tricky customer and a good ball winner. 

“We are going to have to keep a close eye on both of them and we feel we have the men for the job.”  

McCauley admitted he has injury concerns over two of his key personnel with both county ace Caolan McColgan and goal-scoring machine Kevin Lynch on the doubtful list. 

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“Caolan tweaked the hamstring the last day. Luckily he did not tear it so it is not too bad. We are keeping a close eye on him and every effort is being made to have him fit. 

“He is also being monitored closely by the county medical team. They checked him out on the morning after the last game and they checked him out again last weekend. 

“We will monitor him closely for the rest of the week and see how it is at the end of the week. We would be hopeful, fingers crossed, he will be good for 15 to 20 minutes at least.

“Kevin picked up an ankle injury in the county final and he was wearing a protective boot for a couple of weeks. 

“The boot is off for the last week or so and he is back doing light training. Like Caolan, we will leave a decision on his fitness until the end of the week. 

“There is no doubting that they are two big players for us. Caolan would be a huge loss for Donegal so you can imagine the loss he is to a junior club team.

“Kevin is our ‘go to’ man up front and he has scored a lot of big scores for us right through the championship up to now.

“The good thing is we have a good strong squad and strength in depth and the men that have come in for them have done well. And they will do so again if called upon.”