Ward’s Donegal ready for Ulster Minor Championship battle with Monaghan

O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny on Saturday (12 noon)  will host the first part of the Donegal-Monaghan weekend battle when the sides meet in the first round of the Ulster Minor Championship.

The game is just over 24 hours before the counties meet in the Ulster SFC in St Tiernach’s Park on Sunday.

Barry Ward’s minors have had a good season so far, with victories over Cavan, Fermanagh and Armagh before going down by a couple of points to Tyrone in the Ulster Minor League final.

Now after a two-week break, they are back in action and hoping to make home advantage count on Saturday.

Monaghan defeated Down last weekend in the preliminary round and Ward and his backroom team were able to see the challenge that lies ahead of them on Saturday.

“We got up to see that game and it was also available on video on Ulster GAA. We have had plenty of opportunities to watch them. Look, Monaghan were minor finalists two years ago so they are doing a lot of good work at underage.

“We played them last year and had a tough game against them in Ballyshannon. It will definitely be another challenge and the benefit they will have is having that preliminary round played.”

But Donegal have also had a good run of games in the Ulster Minor League and Ward is very happy with the progression of the panel.

“One of the main things about the Minor League is that you get good competitive games and then when you move on further, the games are even more competitive and you’re coming up against teams like Tyrone, who have been setting the standard for the last number of years.

“Look, it was a great game and a great experience for the lads. Again having four league games, we were able to look at a lot of our panel and get guys game time. It’s great to have that preparation,” said reward.

There are four ties on Saturday and the four winners will go into a hat for the next round with the first team out having home advantage, while the four losers going into a qualifier. 

“There is nothing easy. It is going to be a tough competition but it is something we are preparing well for and looking forward to,” said Ward, who said they have everybody fit and well for Saturday.

“We have a clean bill of health and the pitches have improved. Everything is getting a bit faster and we’re really looking forward to it. And you can see the lads in training, how much they are looking forward to the weekend.”

One of the things that these young players have had to get used to are the new rule enhancements but Ward feels they are adapting well.

“I suppose at the start the rules were sort of evolving. We had to be careful not to put too much emphasis on one thing. The goalkeeper was a big change, keeping the four in defence and that has resulted in most teams with the ‘keeper staying put. 

“It was about gradually building it in, bit by bit. It was still Gaelic football and building it in but not over emphasising it. Nobody really talks much about it now; it’s just part of it.”

And what are the targets for the team this year.

“Every year any Donegal team, underage or whatever, we have ambitions to go deep into the competition and it will be no different this year,” said Ward.