Finnbarr Roarty to miss Donegal U-20 opener due to suspension

Donegal player Finnbarr Roarty will be absent from the county's U-20 squad this week as they kick off their championship campaign against Fermanagh at Brewster Park on Wednesday.

Despite captaining the side last year and remaining eligible to compete at this level in 2026, the Naomh Conaill player has been making strides with the Donegal senior team. So far this season, he has featured in four of their six league fixtures, most recently playing against Tyrone in O'Donnell Park last Sunday.

Looking ahead, Roarty could face a demanding fixture schedule even after missing this week's match against Fermanagh and another away tie against Antrim on March 26. Gary Boyle's panel will then come up against Down in MacCumhaill Park on March 29, before they take on Tyrone on April 2, just days before the county’s senior team meets Derry in the Ulster Senior Preliminary Round.

Speaking after Sunday’s match, Jim McGuinness was asked whether Roarty would be prioritised for the senior squad. He acknowledged that it was something the management team would need to assess in the coming weeks.

“Unfortunately he is suspended for the first two (U-20) games because of an altercation last year, so that takes him out of the firing line for the first two games,” said McGuinness.

“We did have a plan for that until we found out he was suspended for those two games. They are playing week after week. He will miss the first two rounds now so we will have to get our heads together to see how we manage him for the other games coming down the track.

“Obviously he’s a very talented boy and he’s playing senior football and he’s an integral part at times defensively. He did really well (on Sunday) and had a brilliant tackle on Peter Harte.

“It's just another situation that will have to be managed very carefully.”

Donegal's U-20s will face Fermanagh in Brewster Park on Wednesday with a 7.30pm throw-in.