Leo McLoone confirms Colm McFadden U-20 involvement

Leo McLoone has confirmed that former Donegal teammate and fellow 2012 All-Ireland winner Colm McFadden has come on board as part of his county U-20 management team. 

The Naomh Conaill man had been part of the side’s backroom team for the last two years under Gary Duffy, alongside another lifter of Sam Maguire ten years ago, Eamon McGee. Naomh Muire’s Owenie McGarvey also returns to the fold for 2023. 

The side was this week pitted against Antrim in the Ulster Championship. But, as McLoone explains, there is much work to get through before they turn their attentions towards the Saffrons. 

“There probably was a bit of thought put into it alright - stepping up to manager,” he said on replacing Duffy as boss. “As a coach, you have a certain amount of responsibility. And Gary, to be fair, the organisation he brought to matters last year was brilliant. 

“So the workload increases on a number of levels now. Luke Barrett has been excellent and he’s back in with the U-17s once more. So he has been very helpful because he just knows so much about our panel already. 

“So there is a lot of interaction there. In terms of the seniors, I think we had maybe four as part of that development panel last year. Caolan McColgan was kept on once our season was over. So there is that element of checking in with what’s below you and above you.”

Donegal picked up the Leo Murphy Cup last year after a very encouraging league campaign. However, their season came to an end at the Ulster semi-final stage as Tyrone pipped them after extra-time. 

“We have a league campaign to get through first before we even look at Antrim. That starts mid February. So we have plenty of work ahead of us in the next few months.

“We’ll have three outings there against Derry, Sligo and Mayo. That will take us into the start of March. At this moment, we’re just waiting on the end of the U-21 championship here at home. After that wraps, we can really get down to work.” 

Colm McFadden, who recently joined up with the Sligo senior footballers as forwards coach for next term, will also now come on board with the Donegal U-20s. 

On that high-profile addition, McLoone said: “Myself, Eamon and Owenie have worked really well together the last few years. We’ve a really good understanding. We spread that workload and really bounce off each other very well. 

“Myself and Colm always got on really good with Donegal. I was delighted he agreed to come in as well. I mean, the calibre and quality that he had as a player… the lads can only learn from someone like that.

“He’s a great way about him as well and I know that will rub off on the group. Colm doesn’t do things by halves either. When he’s in, he’s all in. We’ve had a meeting already as a management.  And it was a very encouraging conversation. I’m very happy with the set up we have at this moment.”