Barry Ward hails the character and grit from his side after stunning comeback

Donegal minor manager Barry Ward was full of praise for his side after their dramatic comeback victory over Cavan, highlighting their resilience and the impact of key players in their 1-13 to 1-10 win.

Donegal produced a stunning second-half comeback at O’Donnell Park to claim their first win of the 2025 season, overcoming Cavan in dramatic fashion with a last-minute goal from Joe Doherty.

Ward’s side had trailed for most of the game, struggling in the first half and racking up 16 wides overall. However, a spirited response after the break saw them turn the tide, securing a hard-fought victory.

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Reflecting on the match, Ward acknowledged the poor first half but praised his players’ reaction.

“It was something we asked for at half-time, we knew we weren't in the game, and from what we saw at training and in challenge matches we were a bit surprised with what we saw in the first half," he said.

"But the lads really stood up in the second half after a few strong words were said in the dressing room, and they showed their true colours.”

A standout performance from Jamie Gavigan played a key role in keeping Donegal in the game and Ward was full of praise for the defender’s contribution.

“It was a mature performance from young lads. I thought Jamie Gavigan kept us in it in the first half, he was putting in tackles all over the field and really drove us forward," he told Donegal Live.

"We know it was really all about the second half, but we can't forget about his performance, alongside Christopher O'Donnell in the backline. They stood up when we were on the backfoot.”

The introduction of substitutes also proved crucial in Donegal’s turnaround, with Ward acknowledging the depth of his squad.

“I believe the subs that went in too, they all played their part. I think we're lucky that we have a big bench but I think with that, we can only bring on six subs and I would love to see that upped to seven because we have lads who are very unlucky not to be getting game time today.

"We have lads that are working really hard, and it can be hard to get them all game time, and they deserve to be on the field.”

Despite a wave of momentum in the second half, Donegal’s accuracy in front of goal remained an issue, something Ward acknowledged as an area for improvement.

“In the second half, I think we had three wides in-a-row at one stage but look at that stage we were on a wave going forward and everyone was trying to get involved. In those stages, you just need a bit of composure, but that's something we can work on.”

The match was finely poised heading into the final moments, with Donegal still trailing, but a crucial goal from Joe Doherty sealed a remarkable win.

Donegal now move forward with their first victory under their belt, buoyed by their second-half display and eager to build on the momentum in the weeks ahead.