Blake McGarvey sees shoots of green for Cloughaneely after U-21 B title success 

Blake McGarvey hopes that Cloughaneely can harness their U-21 B championship success and progress that potential up towards senior level. 

McGarvey was instrumental on Friday night at the Donegal GAA Training Centre as the Falcarragh side downed Burt by 2-9 to 1-5. 

The opening period had been a close affair with the Inishowen side going in, in front, at 1-5 to 1-4. 

But with Burt not registering a single score on the restart and Cloughaneely kicking with the elements in Act Two, Kevin Scanlon’s side upped the ante and powered to a deserving 

victory. 

“We were well in the game and the wind actually picked up in the second-half, the rain came as well,” said McGarvey after. “We did miss a few chances but we felt we were in a good place. 

“To be fair we knew Burt were a good team - a good running team. So we didn’t take anything for granted. We kept them at bay and only really got on top of matters down the stretch.

“Our defence was always on top and credit to them. We really pushed up on their kickout. That’s something we have worked on all through the competition. They found it really hard to get out. 

“Burt, even last week against Carndonagh, they rallied and pulled the thing back. So we never felt we were over the line until we were actually over the line if you get what I mean”. 

Cloughaneely suffered league and championship relegation at senior level in 2024, slipping to Division 2 and dropping out of the SFC. 

McGarvey hopes this late success can act as a catalyst for better things when the group gets back together in early 2025. 

“This time of year, the weather can be so unpredictable. But we aimed to give this a real shot. The U-21s is a great competition, for anyone in their final year like myself it’s nice to go out with a medal. 

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“The big thing for us now is to progress this group onto senior. We had a tough season getting relegated from the senior championship. No one was happy with that. 

“We’re a young senior side but the aim is to push on now and climb the ranks again. I think there is a serious core there with real potential. 

“I think there are just three lads in the same boat as me so that group can also push on in the  A championship as well next year”.