‘Na Rossa was the game we needed’ - Letterkenny Gaels’ Corbett

Letterkenny Gaels look to be on target to top their group in the Junior A championship, but they were given a stern test on Saturday in Leitirmacaward with Na Rossa matching them stride for stride and getting the final point to leave it all square at the end.

The draw means that the Gaels need to defeat Pettigo at home next weekend to ensure a semi-final spot, and on form they should be much too strong for the Border side.

And while they had to go home with only a share of the spoils, joint-manager Dougie Corbett, was really pleased with the outcome and the way his team performed and feels that in the long run it will be a good experience for his side.

"It was a tight game. Both teams gave it their all; crossfield breeze; Na Rossa fighting for their life, they knew they needed to win and we came expecting a good tight battle and that's what we got,"  said Corbett.

"The game ebbed and flowed in the second half. Na Rossa got a goal. We came back well with a couple of nice scores. It was nip and tuck right to the end. Both teams went ahead, both teams came from behind.

"We have no complaints. It was well refereed too. Excellent refereeing from Mark Dorrian, one of the best in the county; hits were going in, there was off the ball stuff. It's not easy to ref but I thought he did a good job," said Corbett, who was glad to get such a test.

"We expected it and we needed it, correct. Down the line, you are not going to saunter the group winning by10 or 11 points. You are going to expect to go behind, how do you react? We reacted fairly well. We gave the ball away in tight positions several times and we must learn from that. We gave a couple of soft frees away and we can learn from that. Whether we're in a quarter or a semi-final, we will prepare as best we can."

Corbett praised Na Rossa for the fight that they put up but he also added that he wasn't surprised. "They have plenty of quality players as well. Oisin Caulfield there and Johnny Bonner at six and Cillian Bonner inside, that's hard marked. They have other players that took excellent scores under pressure.

"We were under no illusions. If I remember right Downings came down here last year and got beat and they ended up winning it. Whether we ending up the same route, who knows. We knew we would get a tight and that's what we got," said Corbett.