Paddy McElwee has made a great start to the Under 20 Championship but he’s not resting on his laurels.
McElwee scored three points from play in the opening win against Cavan and then backed that up with 1-3 as Donegal took care of Fermanagh last week.
McElwee worked with Shaun Paul Barrett when he coached Downings last season and he knows what the Under 20 manager demands of his players.
It is non-negotiable that players have to be fit and work hard and if McElwee isn’t doing it in attack, the likes of Kevin Lynch, Daithi Gildea, Kyle McNulty and Cian McMenamin will all be looking to take his place.
“Every night at training SP is telling us that spots are up for grabs.
“It’s not just in the starting team – the 24 is changing every week too.
“Every single man is putting in a shift and they all want to play.”
Donegal have now guaranteed themselves a quarter-final spot but they know that winning their section will see them go straight through to the semi-finals.
Armagh have also won both of their matches. The Orchard county are managed by Newtowncunningham resident Barry O’Hagan and he will know plenty about McElwee and his teammates.
Donegal defeated Armagh in a tense match at minor level three years ago and it should be another close battle when they meet again in Ballybofey on April 10.
“We’re under no illusions that Armagh is going to be tough but if we get over them we will be into the semi-finals and I think we will have a home game.”
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