BY RYAN FERRY

MICHAEL O’Donnell says Carndonagh have parked last year’s Junior Final defeat and are only focused on this year’s championship.

Carn went into the 2024 decider with high hopes but were overwhelmed in the first half by Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin.

It was a poor performance from the Foden side but Muff went on to show that they were a quality side by winning Ulster and reaching the All-Ireland Junior Final.

It was a long winter for Carn but they had a tough Division 2 campaign to prepare for and ended up finishing seventh out of 14 teams.

That should stand to them as they head into the Junior Championship where once again they will be talked up as potential winners.

“It’s been parked completely,” said former League of Ireland star O’Donnell.

“Muff had a brilliant run after that and it was superb what they did.

“I think for us it was just about moving on and playing the next game, but the only hard thing for us was that we were waiting a long time to play again.

“But once the league starts up and you get back to winning matches against good teams in Division 2, that for me is where you are able to start moving on.

“This is a new season and a new championship.

“Last year is not something that plays on your mind. When you’re playing football, you just have to try and keep moving forward.”

The Carn team has gradually been getting stronger in recent weeks and they are boosted by the return of Conor O’Donnell, who had a wonderful All-Ireland Series with Donegal.

“For the last couple of matches, Padraig Doherty was missing but hopefully he will be available for the start of the championship.

“Anthony Doherty was studying in Liverpool but he’s back again now.

“Obviously we haven’t had Conor yet this year but he’s another great man to have back.”

Carn are in the same group as Naomh Ultan, Letterkenny Gaels, Moville and Naomh Colmcille.

O’Donnell said: “All four teams we played last year and they were tough games.

“Muff went down to Naomh Ultan at the start of the championship last year and lost by ten points.

“You don’t go into any game thinking it’s won or lost. When we went down to Dungloe in the league, we didn’t feel we were beaten before we started.

“You take each game as it comes and try and give it your best from the start.

“That’s the same approach for the championship. We won’t be thinking too much about any team we are playing but will be going out to give it our best.”

Bainisteoir: Michael O’Donnell

Captain: Darragh Browne

Last Year: JFC semi-finalists

Star Man: Conor O’Donnell

One to Watch: Sean O’Carroll