BY RYAN FERRY
The Donegal Youth League team are in charge against their Inishowen counterparts in the Youth Inter-League but there could be a twist or two yet as the sides prepare for the second leg in Maginn Park on Wednesday.
Cormac Dunleavy scored twice and Johnny McAteer also hit the net as Eamonn McConigley’s Donegal side won the first leg 3-1 last month.
McConigley has kept this team ticking over in recent weeks and hopes to have them primed and ready for the 7.30pm kick-off.
“We have had a few training sessions,” said McConigley, who has Donagh McMorrow, Mark McCauley, Bosco Gallagher, and Garrett McDaid in his backroom team.
“Every Wednesday night we have been out since we played them.
“It’s been mostly training and stuff and doing set-pieces and that type of thing.
“It’s two legs and then there’s a semi-final and a final so there’s not a lot of football in it.
“You don’t get much of a chance to look at other young fellas because you don’t have enough games.
“There’s only two teams in Connacht as well and I would have preferred if they had put the four of us in together and see who comes through.
“But we won’t look beyond Wednesday’s match because that’s going to be tough.”
There’s a good balance to the Donegal squad with players from Bonagee United, Milford United, Mulroy-Fanad, Kilmacrennan, Gweedore Celtic, Convoy Arsenal, and Letterkenny Rovers all included.
“We have a very good spread and to be fair to the young fellas, they are very easy to work with.
“They are taking on board what you say and they are keen to go and do it then and that’s a big bonus.”
McConigley was at the helm as Donegal lost out to Inishowen last year so he’s taking nothing for granted.
That said, he was pleased with the display in the first leg at Leckview Park.
“We came away with a 3-1 result so that puts us in a decent position.
“But last year we won 1-0 in Ballyare but they beat us 3-1 in Buncrana.
“We’re hoping things will be different this time.
“When you go away, you always think that the team at home has an advantage so maybe the two-goal lead levels things out now.
“There’s nothing really between us – a kick of the ball really.
“It was a tough night in Leckview because of the rain but I thought we were quite good so I’d be confident we should be able to go through.”
