Lacey hails squad depth as Donegal minors reach Paul McGirr final
Karl Lacey’s Donegal reached the All-Ireland Tier Two minor final with an extra-time win over Down
The Donegal minors had to dig deep in extra-time, but they came away with a 1-20 to 2-13 win over Down in Scotstown to reach the All-Ireland Tier Two minor final.
Donegal defeated Down in extra-time, having drawn 1-13 apiece after an hour of football, but they pushed on in the extra period to outscore their opponents by seven points to a goal, with the help of some fresh legs.
And that was important, having led by five points coming into added time, but a late Down goal and two-pointer helped them level it, with the Mournemen having a chance to win before the final whistle.
“It was just about getting the negativity out of the way, and reset the heads in the huddle, and then get into the dressing room,” manager Karl Lacey said after the game.
“We had a brilliant second half, one of the best I’ve seen them play.
“Ronan O’Donnell stepped into goals today for Cormac (Crossan), who had been a starter, and it doesn’t faze them, there are boys coming in and out, and we’ve talked about the panel and the 33 players, which is important.
“Callum Dorrian and Lewis Cunnea both got good points (off the bench), Mark Wilkinson came in and won a real dirty ball we needed, and that gives the boys already playing a real boost that the boys coming in can contribute to the game.”
Having already met twice in the Ulster Championship, with the first game abandoned when leading by 17 and the replayed match ending with just a point in favour of Donegal, it was expected to be another tight game with both sides knowing each other’s strengths.
And Lacey admitted while he knew a lot about Down, they still had a few cards up their sleeve that caught Donegal, with full forward Jay Cunningham’s introduction being a big factor in both Down goals.
“The big fella at full forward came as a surprise, and the number eight there, Ross Austin, is a brilliant player. You go into the unknown in these games early on in the year, and then you play and get the videos, tactics come in, and you try to counteract things.
“We probably knew each other fairly well after we played twice previously.
“But we did focus on ourselves, and it’s another day to learn and grow and for the families and clubs to support them.
“Every game brings something different for them and a different challenge, the second game against Down was a challenge psychologically because you were beating them well the first day, but those sort of things will stand to them.”
And it’s one last match for many of these players at minor level when they meet Louth next weekend in the final, with the date and time yet to be confirmed.
“Hopefully we can get the job done next weekend, and then they’ll go back to their clubs, and hopefully some can play Under-20s or the senior environment.
“Given the nature of how we were beaten by Derry, and we didn’t just go out on the last kick of the game, we got this opportunity.
“It was hard to get back on the horse in such a short period of time, but once we played Dublin, we got over that, and there’s a bit of momentum. It’s nice to play other teams from outside the province, and we’ll get that opportunity again next weekend.
“It’s great for the boys, and they’re delighted because they’ve put in a lot of work through the championship this year.
“The Ulster Championship was the big goal, but we just fell short, and they’ve bounced back brilliantly against Dublin and then today.
“We should have won it in normal time, but we just lost that bit of concentration, and they got a goal.
“But we regrouped then, and it just showed the character that they’ve shown all year to come back and never give up, and that’s been the story for them this season.
“It’s great for them because the journey continues and they get one more crack at this age, and that’s them out of minor then.”