Barrett disappointed to go down in Cavan in Ulster U-17 League

Donegal manager Luke Barrett said he was disappointed that his team did not get a draw after a well contested affair in Breffni Park in the U-17 Development League, where Cavan ran out winners on a 1-10 to 0-10 scoreline. 

And while he agreed that Cavan’s effective winning goal was well executed, he said it did not reflect a very solid defensive display from his charges.  But it was his attack that caused him more concern. 

“Yes, It is disappointing and I thought that we deserved a draw at least,” the Donegal manager said. “But, credit to Cavan they did score a great goal and that was the difference in the end. But I also thought that we defended very well throughout the game”. 

Wonder goal the difference between Cavan and Donegal in Ulster U-17 League

Michael Smith of Cavan scored the only goal of the game at Breffni Park to give the home side victory over Luke Barrett's team

However, Barrett was less happy with his attack and some of the decisions of Armagh referee Sean Murphy. 

“I thought we turned over quite an amount of ball, but it wasn’t sticking inside,” Barrett said. “It just kept coming back out and that was a bit disappointing. We got ourselves into very good scoring positions but just could not finish. 

“Cavan are a big strong team, and they are well drilled but I thought we recovered well after they got a good start.

“I will call a spade a spade here as I thought they got frees a lot handier than we did and the scores they got seemed to come much easier to them. Our lads tried very hard, but we have lots to work on”. 

Gallery: Donegal celebrate victory in the U-20 Development League

Gary Duffy's side defeated Tyrone 2-10 to 1-6 at O'Donnell Park to win the Leo Murphy Cup

Towering midfielder Lorcan McGee went off injured but Barrett said it was not too serious. 

Ironically his direct replacement Sean McLaughlin had a great chance of a goal after the ball bounced up kindly for him on the edge of the square-but his palmed effort just drifted wide. 

“Yeah, that is one of those things,” Barett added. “ … but I would be more concerned with our lack of penetration up front”.