BY RYAN FERRY
CLUB allegiances will be put to one side this weekend for Keenan Diver as he aims to help the Donegal Junior League qualify for the Oscar Traynor Cup Final.
Diver plays for Kildrum Tigers and went up against some of the players on the representative side last week against Bonagee.
It was Kildrum’s day as they won 1-0 and dented Bonagee’s title aspirations.
However, there will be no ill will over that this week as the team meet up twice for training and then for Sunday’s match as they look to defeat the Limerick District League.
“It’s a semi-final so it’s a big game for us,” said the towering Killea man.
“It’s funny. (On Sunday), you were battling with ‘Harks’ (Gareth Harkin), ‘Parky’ (Jack Parke) and Aidy (Brennan) for Bonagee.
“But as soon as we go in with Donegal, we’re all after the same goal.
“We want to the win the All-Ireland for the county and that’s what we’re working towards.”
Diver didn’t play in the first leg clash with Inishowen but did feature in the second leg at Maginn Park.
That derby triumph has helped the confidence and Diver is hoping to keep his place in the team.
“I thought we were excellent in the second game.
“It was a professional performance.
“We have so much quality and depth.
“Only 18 men get into the squad on matchday but we have twenty odd lads there that could all play.
“Everyone has to fight for their place and that’s a good thing.”
The Donegal Junior League have put much more focus on the Oscar Traynor in recent times.
And with the new League of Ireland Third Tier set to be introduced later this year, it’s fair to say that this will probably be the strongest team the Donegal League will put out for some time, and they want to make the most of it.
“There’s definitely a good buzz around the team.
“Eamonn (Sheridan) brings a lot of experience as do the rest of the management staff.
“We’re all enjoying it. We’ve two training sessions this week to get ready for it.
“It’s going to be a tough game but we’re looking to make sure we get through to the final.”
Diver is joined in the Oscar Traynor squad by his Kildrum teammates Michael ‘Farmer’ Lynch, Shane McGinty, Tiernan Browne, and Jonny Robb.
Given the players signed to the Station Road club, they shouldn’t be 12 points off league leaders Letterkenny Rovers (albeit they do have two games in hand).
“We have a good crew from Kildrum. They’re all good players.
“Ourselves and Letterkenny Rovers have five each in the Donegal team.
“I think that shows the quality that we have in our team.
“It’s been frustrating that we haven’t done better in the league.
“We have added quality from last year but we just haven’t hit the heights that we would expect of ourselves.
“Going into the second half of the season, I think we can take any team on in the league.”
Kildrum could have a say on how the league standings end up before the year is out.
But that will all be forgotten about for this weekend at least as the top players in the county come together to try and seal a spot in the Oscar Traynor Cup Final.
