BY MATTHEW WILSON
KILCAR manager Mark Sweeney is anticipating a huge test for his side this Sunday when they face Naomh Conaill in the quarter-finals of the Senior Football Championship.
Kilcar faced their neighbours Naomh Columba in the preliminary quarter-finals just shy of two weeks ago where they secured a narrow victory on home soil.
The Glen outfit put up a massive challenge but it was the Towney men who prevailed which was the important aspect for Sweeney.
“It was a massive battle. It wasn’t too comfortable and as a manager, I was delighted to get out of there with a win.
“At one stage, we were actually looking to see if we’d make it to extra-time, with Naomh Columba having a free at the end which they just missed.
“It was a huge battle and we were lucky to get out with a win, which is the most important thing.”
There’s a number of youthful individuals in the Kilcar side who have received their first taste of senior championship football this term.
But the experienced heads are still leading the Towney outfit, with the McHugh cousins, Eoin and Ryan, and Ciaran McGinley all coming up with vital scores and moments for the side.
For Sweeney, having that blend of youth and experience has been important, with the more established players setting the standard and helping the younger members of the squad along the way.
“They are and that’s one thing about the team this year. The county lads have performed really well, the older lads, Ciaran (McGinley) especially, have performed very well along with Ryan McShane and the McHughs.
“We’ve a good mix of young, old and experienced which blends in well to the championship. It’s not a secret, we’ve a lot of young lads in the team that are playing championship football for the first time.
“It’s important for them to learn from the older lads so it’s a good blend and they’re all standing up to the challenge.”
Sweeney’s charges are now preparing for a big last eight encounter this Sunday when they face reigning champions Naomh Conaill in Ballyshannon.
The pair have already met in this year’s championship, with the Glenties men running out five-point winners in Towney in the group phase.
It’s a huge test for the 2016 Dr Maguire Cup winners but the Kilcar boss is pleased with where they’re at entering the contest.
“We’ve no doubt about the challenge that lies ahead this weekend against Naomh Conaill. Most teams would’ve liked to avoid them in the draw but it wasn’t to be for us.
‘But you’ve to prepare for what’s in front of you. The game in Towney, we got beat by five points but I feel that we competed fairly well for most of the game.
“Naomh Conaill are the strongest team in Donegal but we feel that we’re still in a good enough place going into this weekend.”
Kilcar have fallen at the quarter-final stage in each of the last four editions of the competition, with last term’s defeat to Gaoth Dobhair the latest of those exits.
It’s a run they’ll be eager to bring to an end, with Sweeney and his players now focused on making sure they don’t suffer another quarter-final exit when they take to the field on Sunday.
“Absolutely and that’s what this Sunday is about, making a semi-final. We haven’t been there in a couple of years but it’s a different team we have this year.
“I think a lot of young players will help in that way in, they haven’t been in that situation so the history doesn’t mean much to them going into this weekend.
“But the goal is to get to a semi-final, whatever way we can get to it.”