Neil McGee likes what he sees in ‘fantastic’ Finnbarr Roarty 

Neil McGee says Finnbarr Roarty has come back into the Donegal mix in 2025 like a man determined to make up for lost time. 

Last season’s false start must have been a trying time for the young Naomh Conaill teenager but Donegal legend McGee, part of Jim McGuinness’ coaching staff, says it hasn’t phased the player. 

Roarty has started both Donegal’s NFL Division 1 clashes to date and helped the side to impressive wins over both Dublin and Kerry. 

And following the weekend’s hard-earned 0-23 to 1-18 win in Killarney, McGee gave some insight to what he especially likes about what Roarty brings to the mix. 

“Finnbarr has a brilliant attitude,” McGee said. “I looked at him after the goal today and I could see the hurt and the desire there. He was rippin’ and I love to see that. 

“But he’s the exact same at training - he’s bringing a real standard. And for a young lad that’s a special trait. It's fantastic to see. 

“Remember, he’s still a teenager but already he has leadership qualities. Again, I like that. He’s only in the door but he’s laying his own marker”.

Meanwhile, McGee was more coy when speaking about Donegal’s league aspirations. If Donegal were to claim a win over All-Ireland champions Armagh this coming Sunday in Ballybofey they’d hit that initial 'six-point' survival target. 

With a huge home Ulster SFC opener with Derry pencilled in for the first week in April you’d have to wonder if Donegal’s interest in the league would suddenly begin to taper off if they did manage to secure a win over Kieran McGeeney’s Orchard outfit.  

“Learning is our priority right now,” said McGee on that score. “The more we can learn and adapt the better we’ll be come championship. 

“Competitive games bring that. And we have a good squad with lads still coming back in. So let’s see what the next few weeks bring”.