Derby opening for Donegal Underage League 2010s in Inter-League Cup

The Donegal Underage League 2010 side embark on their SFAI Inter-League campaign this weekend - kicking off a huge year for the squad.

The campaign will culminate with the Kennedy Cup in June 2024 while the Jonnie McGroarty-managed groups also to take part in the Copa Jordi next Easter in Barcelona.

This group reached the under-13 semi-finals last season, losing out to Galway at the penultimate hurdle.

This Saturday, McGroarty takes his side to Glencrow, the home ground of Moville Celtic, to face their Inishowen League counterparts (kick-off 1.45pm).

Something of a rejig sees Donegal and Inishowen joined by Northern Ireland representatives Lisburn-Castlrea and South Belfast.

“It will be a wee bit tougher,” McGroarty told Donegal Live. “We won our group last year, but we have some new teams this year. The Northern Ireland Leagues are always strong and this will be a tough assignment for us.”

McGroarty is assisted by Marty McGroarty and Donagh McMorrow and Tony Blake is the goalkeeping coach.

Last year, they defeated NDSL 5-0 in Ballyare to reach the last four.

Jonah Cannon of Glen Rovers, Eany Celtic’s Ryan Quinn and Eoin Doherty from Drumbar netted three quick fire goals as Donegal got off and running before Illistrin man Thalji Al Daher and Glenree United’s Jerry Coyle added second-half strikes.

McGroarty said: “There is an awful lot of talent in Donegal at the minute. If you take ourselves and Inishowen along with what Finn Harps and Derry City have got. Add all that into the mix and you can see Donegal has plenty of good players.

“We’re delighted with the squad that we have assembled. We have managed to hold onto players. We’ve got a squad of 20 and then we have a development group with six players who we keep a very good eye on.”

Last season, Donegal defeated Inishowen 5-2, but head for the lion’s den this weekend.

McGroarty said: “They’ll be looking forward to getting us into the back yard now. There’ll be first day never from both teams and it’s their first days at this level. We’ve started well so far. We’ve had six sessions under our belt and a couple of challenge games too - we’re ready to go now.”

Donegal 2010 squad: Ryan McCabe (St Catherines), Zach Djedi (Milford Utd), Cahir Daly (Bonagee Utd), Senan Faulkner (Bonagee Utd), Ryan McFadden (Swilly Rvrs), Kaiden Spence (Convoy Arsenal), Senan Kavanagh (Lagan Harps), Ronan Tinney (Letterkenny Rvrs), Rory Gallagher (Kilmacrennan Celtic), Mark Gregg (Ballybofey Utd), Finn Devine (Convoy Arsenal), Ronan Ward (Letterkenny Rvrs), Jonah Cannon (Glen Rvrs), Orran Kee (Raphoe Tn), Dean Doherty (Bonagee Utd), Ryan Quinn (Eany Celtic), Jerry Coyle (Glenree Utd), Thalji Al Daher (Illistrin FC), Eoin Doherty (Drumbar Utd), Conor O’Brien (Ballybofey Utd).