Gaels chase minor crown

BY RYAN FERRY

IT’S been a fine season so far for the Letterkenny Gaels minor side and they are keen to close out the campaign with the Division 3 Under 18 title.

St Naul’s are standing in their way of glory and the Gaels team are expecting their toughest test of the season in today’s final at 1pm in the Donegal GAA Centre.

The Gaels have a strong team and their star men are Cathal Doherty and Callum McGilloway who played regularly for the Donegal minors this season and that didn’t limit their club involvement.

Ryan Buckley and Cormac Crossan were involved with the Donegal Under 16 side as well so there is plenty of quality in the Gaels side.

“We had Cathal and Callum available all season and we didn’t have to play without them,” said Gaels manager Paddy Doherty, who is in charge along with John McGilloway.

“Early on in the Northern Board, we were low enough on numbers with Leaving Cert and stuff like that and the Under 16s were playing at the same time.

“There were days that we were going out and we were scarce enough. We had to use a couple of 2010s in a few games.

“After the Leaving Cert finished we got a couple of the ‘07s back then.

“We would be a young enough squad. We only have four altogether who are in their last year of minor.

Bundoran and Naomh Muire gave Gaels decent games in Section B of the Division 3 championship and it looked from early on that they would progress through to the final.

Kilcar did pose questions in the semi-final but the Letterkenny side prevailed by 2-16 to 2-10.

“We played five games in the group and we won them all,” said Doherty.

“We had a few good battles along the way which is good.

“We played Kilcar in the semi-final and that was tough so that will stand to the boys as well going into the final.

“We played the semi-final in Convoy so we don’t mind going back there for the final.”

There isn’t huge familiarity between the Gaels and St Naul’s team but Doherty does expect a physical challenge.

“We haven’t play St Naul’s in a while.

“We might have played them three or four years ago. We beat them then but that’s a long time ago.

“We haven’t come up against them too often. I know our minors played them two years ago and St Naul’s gave our boys a good hiding then.

“I think they have a good number of ‘07s and they are a big strong team so that will be a good challenge especially when our boys are very young.

“Looking at their scoring difference, it’s been pretty similar to our own.”