CATHAL ‘Rua’ Ó Gallchoir was delighted to come through a big test with Derry in the Ulster Under 20 Championship on Wednesday night.
The Oak Leaf county are a highly-rated side having won two of the last three All-Ireland Minor titles.
Ó Gallchoir was part of the extended Donegal minor panel three years ago when the team lost to Derry in Killyclogher in the Under 20 Championship.
Only six players that played that day lined out for Donegal on Wednesday night, whereas Derry had nine survivors.
Players develop at different rates but Donegal have certainly closed the gap and they were delighted to get the one-point win.
“We knew coming here it was going to be tough with the history they had in the minors,” said Ó Gallchoir.
“We had a game plan and we worked very hard.
“It just showed what we could do and it was a good thing that we came out on the right end.”
A draw would have seen Donegal play in the quarter-finals but the away team forced one more chance.
They worked the ball to one of their best forward and Shane Callaghan fired over.
“I would have Shane at the end of the move anytime. I would trust him to put it over the bar and that’s what he did.
“We’re just happy to get a result and get into the semi-final.”
Donegal have six senior panellists as part of the Under 20 squad and Max Campbell was outstanding once again.
Fresh from scoring three points in the Division 1 League Final, he supplied 1-1 against Derry.
“Max is flying and he’s a very, very big player for us.
“We have a strong panel. We have forty players on the panel and every man is important.
“We have different boys away but the training is always good and every little helps.”