Donegal U13s aim for SFAI Inter-League glory

The Donegal Underage League Under-13s face Cork in the SFAI Inter-League final on Saturday.

At the home of Evergreen FC in Kilkenny, Paddy McNulty’s Donegal will aim to follow in the footsteps of the Donegal U16s who defeated Cork on penalties in their final back in March.

Donegal topped their group after defeating Inishowen, drawing with Cavan-Monaghan and also recording wins over Lisburn-Castlereagh and East Belfast, against whom they came from behind to win 2-1.

In the knock-out phase, Donegal went to Castlebar to beat Mayo 1-0 in a quarter-final before a nail-biting 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Waterford following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Mullingar.

Now, Cork stand in their way.

“Cork are hot favourites after beating Kilkenny, who won the Galway Cup and were fancied for this,” McNulty told Donegal Live.

“We’ll give it a good lash. Down the years, 90 per cent of the time Cork teams get to these finals.”

The Donegal squad will travel to Kilkenny on Friday with Saturday’s final pencilled in for a 10.45am start.  

Cappry, Ilistrin, Gweedore Celtic, Donegal Town, Convoy Arsenal, St Catherine’s, Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers are all represented throughout the squad. 

Cappry Rovers clubman McNulty said: “We’ve put a lot of effort in. There is a great bunch of players here and they’re all proud to represent the jersey and the county. Last year, we didn’t get out of the group after finishing second. The development is definitely going the right way.”

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Donegal squad: Harry McBride, Eoghan O’Neill (captain), Daithi McHugh, Patrick Caldwell, Garbhan O’Donnell, Zac O’Carroll (vice captain), Tiarnan Catterson, Oisin McGee, Ryan McNulty, Logan Morrow, Charlie Carr, Conor Dorrian, Darragh O’Sullivan, Mairtin Og Coll, Levi Kelly, Dominic Cush, Dylan Temple, James McCormick, Darragh Coyle, Sam Tourish. Management: Paddy McNulty, head coach; David O’Carroll, assistant coach; John Brennan, goalkeeping coach.