High stakes for Donegal and Inishowen in Oscar Traynor Cup opener at Ballyare

The Donegal League begin their FAI Oscar Traynor Cup campaign with a home tie against the Inishowen League on Sunday afternoon in Ballyare (kick-off, 2 pm). 

Owing to a change of format in the interleague competition and the withdrawal of the Cavan/Monaghan League, the stakes were never as high for the two Donegal teams in the competition.  

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The format change sees the Ulster winners go straight through to the semi-final as opposed to the quarter-final, which had been the way for several years.

And the absence of Cavan/Monaghan means the Ulster semi-final spot is down to a straight ‘winners take all’ two-legged meeting of the Donegal sides. 

“It certainly is a great incentive for either ourselves or Inishowen going straight into the semi-final,” said Donegal League boss and former Finn Harps and Rathmullen Celtic player Eamonn Sheridan.   

“Ideally, ourselves and Inishown would like to get games against other counties but unfortunately, Cavan and Monaghan did not enter the competition, so there are just the two of us in the Ulster section.”

Sheridan has named a 22-man squad with Kildrum Tigers, Letterkenny Rovers and Bonagee United making up the bulk of the selection. 

Kilmacrennan  Celtic, Fanad United, Donegal Town, St Catherine’s and Keadue Rovers are also represented. 

“When I came in last year, we had some in-house games, and we saw a lot of players. So we had a fair idea of the squad when we started out this season, and besides, the management team are involved with clubs and they are out every weekend and see who is playing well. 

“And we receive good feedback from club managers too, and it all plays its part in the team and the squad”.

The experienced trio of Michael McHugh, Kyle Maloney and Paul Friel make up Sheridan’s coaching and management team. 

“A few lads are gone from last season, and we have a number of new fellas in who have freshened up the group, and they are all keen to play and are putting in a big effort.

“We really have a great bunch of lads, and they are giving one hundred per cent commitment. They have all bought into it, and a couple of them even travelled down from Dublin last week to train, which says a lot about their commitment to the team. It is a good starting point for any side.

“We’ve also played several friendly games against clubs in the league. And while you are never completely happy with preparations, given everything, we still feel we are as well-prepared as we can be”. 

There has been little between the Donegal League and Inishowen League in recent years and manager Sheridan is expecting something similar again this time around.

“Inishowen are a very good side, there has been very little between us in recent years. Last year was my first year in the job and it took penalties to decide it after two cracking games.

 “The first game in Maginn Park ended 2-2 and it was 2-2 again in the second game here in Ballyare. 

“And  I don’t think it is going to be any different this year. A bounce of a ball, a decision here or there going for you will decide it and we just hope they go our way on the day”. 

The second leg game is just under three weeks later on Saturday, December 13, in Maginn Park, Buncrana.   

Donegal League squad: Michael Lynch, Tiarnan Browne, Johnny Robb, Shane McGinty, Keenan Diver (Kildrum Tigers); Andrew Nichols, Jack Parke, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McMonagle (Bonagee United); Ryan Shiels (Kilmacrennan Celtic); Ryan Cunningham (St Catherine’s); Dean McCarry, Pauric Gilsenan, Aidy Delap, Simon McGlynn, Shane McNamee (Letterkenny Rovers); Ultan O’Grady, Ronan McHugh (Donegal Town); Paddy Carr, Eddie O’Reilly (Fanad Utd); Aidan Brennan, Brendan McClafferty (Keadue Rovers).