Donegal backing U-19 motion at National Congress

Donegal GAA will be backing the introduction of an U-19 competition when the motion is put forward at National Congress, which is being held at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome at Bekan, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo this weekend.

It will be a busy weekend at Congress with some 48 motions up for discussion, but the main focus seems to be on two topics, the changing of the All-Ireland football championships and the discussion around competitions at U-17, U-18 and U-19.

After the recent decision by Central Council to approve the Green proposal for the All-Ireland championships, which will see the provincial competition run as normal and the finalists qualifying for a round-robin competition along with the next best eight teams from league placings, it looks as if that will be passed.

Donegal have a 12-year unbeaten league record in Ballybofey on the line against Tyrone

The last visiting team to win at MacCumhaill Park in the league was Down, back on March 13, 2010

But there is likely to be a long discussion on the many proposals for change at underage level. Donegal chairman, Mick McGrath, says he is happy with the Green proposal for the All-Ireland series.

"At the Special Congress the Red Proposal was almost passed. I spoke at that Congress and said there was a need to discuss the issue further with clubs and that it was being rushed through. Thankfully, that has happened after a proper debate."

As for the underage changes, McGrath says that Donegal have discussed the matter and they are in favour of the change to U-19 level at intercounty level. "However, we would also like to see a review of the U-20 competition and the need to have competition at U-21.

Donegal U-20s expecting a strong challenge from Roscommon

Following their fine win over Derry at Celtic Park in the U-20 Development League, Gary Duffy's Donegal are away to Roscommon this Saturday

"There is a big gap for young footballers at 16 and a half years of age, and how to prepare them for adult football," said McGrath, who added that Donegal would be happy for counties to run their own U-18 minor championship at club level.

"What is being proposed is that the present U-17 competition would become a development competition which would lose its national element and the U-19 competition would become the new minor championship.

"It is being proposed by a few counties that counties are free to run their own competitions at club level." The changes to the underage competitions are proposed to begin in 2023.