Donegal U-20s expecting a strong challenge from Roscommon

Donegal are not getting carried away with Saturday’s last’s U-20 Development League win over Derry, as they look forward to this Saturday’s clash in Roscommon, venue TBC.

The clear message this week from Donegal manager Gary Duffy following the 3-14 to 0-6 victory over the Oak Leaf County.

“It was a good win and the lads played really well and executed the game plan well,” he said. Bobby McGettigan scored two of the goals and corner-back Ryan McShane scored the other. Johnny McGroddy top scored in the points department and ended the game with 0-7 behind his name. Carlos O’Reilly, 0-2, and Caolan McColgan, Kealan Dunleavy, Eric Carr and Paul O’Hare also got in on the scoring act with 0-1 each.

”We have to realise that Derry were short of a number of their big players and they seemed to be a bit behind in preparation,” Duffy added. “We will take the win and move on and realise that it is a Development League and it is all about building a team for the championship and bringing players through to ultimately step up to senior football.”

Duffy emptied the bench and used 20 of his 30 plus squad last week and the plan is to use a few more players in Saturday’s joust with the Shannonsiders.

“The boys played well and Oisin Caulfield and Luke McGlynn made the step up from minor last year and played well too,” Duffy added. “And we will be giving a few more of the squad a chance against Roscommon.”

Roscommon are the reigning Connacht champions and beaten All-Ireland finalists - having lost out to Offaly at Croke Park - opened their campaign last Friday night with a 1-12 to 1-9 defeat to Mayo. Donegal have injury concerns with Ciaran Moore, Caolan McColgan and Paul O’Hare. They all picked up knocks against Derry and are being monitored this week before a call will be made on their fitness.



While it is all about the performance and how players adopt more than the result, Duffy would also like to win to be in with a chance of making it through to the Leo Murphy Cup semi-finals, with the top two in the four-team group progressing.

“The good thing about qualifying is it would give us another top quality game or two before we face Armagh, in the championship. There is no substitute for games. You can train all you want but there is nothing to beat a game against top quality opposition.”