BY MATTHEW WILSON

Letterkenny Gaels manager Aidy Glackin is looking forward to today’s Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Junior ‘A’ Championship Final where his side will be aiming to make an immediate return to Intermediate football.

The Glebe men will meet Carndonagh at O’Donnell Park this weekend in a repeat of the 2022 Junior ‘A’ Championship decider which saw Letterkenny Gaels clinch victory courtesy of a two-point victory.

The Letterkenny men won three out of their four group games against Naomh Colmcille, Naomh Ultan and Moville before overcoming Robert Emmets in the last eight of the competition.

This set up a semi-final clash with Naomh Brid where they ran out four-point winners in a contest where extra-time was required to determine a winner.

It was a thrilling encounter where the affect of the new rules was in full show, which Aidy Glackin expressed is brilliant for the game.

“I think it’s brilliant (the news rules). You can’t just go out and put 15 men behind the ball anymore, you have to be a bit more forward thinking. If you can get the middle eight going right and get the forwards then you’re always going to have a chance”, said Glackin.

He continued: “Even in games like last Saturday against Naomh Brid, we probably didn’t play to the level that we’re aiming to play in the first half and they got 11 points. Luckily enough we had the three goals but if you’re playing defensive and a team gets a run on you then it’s hard to turn that around.”

“Nowadays, because you’re not set up that way you’re back on the attack every time you get the ball. You can even see it with regards to the All-Ireland Final, the team with the forwards are coming out on top because they are getting more space. I think overall, even for the people watching, it’s made it a far better game.”

After spending the last two years in the Intermediate Championship, the Letterkenny men dropped back down to Junior level for the 2025 campaign.

The 2022 Junior ‘A’ champions suffered relegation from the Intermediate division following a play-off final defeat to Burt 12 months ago.

However, the group have hit the ground running under the guidance of Glenswilly native Aidy Glackin this term and they will be aiming to make an immediate return to the Intermediate ranks this Saturday.

After two Junior ‘A’ decider defeats in the last three years, Carndonagh will have ambitions of their own to right the wrongs but Gaels will be hoping to get over the line and seal the cup they last lifted three years ago.

The Glebe outfit had a fifth place finish in Division 3 earlier in the year but they have found momentum in recent weeks according to Glackin.

In reaching the Junior ‘A’ showpiece, they’ve achieved what they set out to do at the start of the campaign and they’re looking forward to the test that lies ahead on Saturday at O’Donnell Park.

“We’re looking forward to it”, said the Letterkenny Gaels boss. “I suppose that was the aim at the start of the year. We had a mixed bag during the league, we never really got to play the same team twice.”

“We had four games in-a-row there over the last month so kind of got it together and we got a little bit of momentum going now so we’re looking forward to it.”