BRIAN MCCORMICK SPORTS PREMIER DIVISION
BY MATTHEW WILSON
DONEGAL Town manager Ryan Hegarty is hoping that his side can come out on the winning side and build some momentum against Kildrum Tigers this Sunday.
Donegal Town spent the last three seasons in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One although they gained automatic promotion back to the top flight last term courtesy of a second place finish in the league.
They’re under new management this season in the form Ryan Hegarty, who previously managed the club’s Saturday team, and they’re enjoying a good run back in the Premier Division so far.
They currently sit third in the table, behind Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers, and Hegarty expressed that they’re very pleased with how things are going to date.
“Yeah we definitely are. We had a good strong start by getting nine points from nine and that set us up well. It’s just been about keeping the points ticking as we’ve gone along so we’re happy for now at where we’re at.”
The Hospital Field residents have gone close to gaining promotion back to the top flight since their relegation back in 2022.
However, their transition back into the Premier Division this year has been seamless, with Hegarty feeling that the style of play in the top tier suits their players well.
“We knew that when we were in Division One that we had the team to be in the Premier Division. I think it actually suits us better playing against these teams, Division One is a hard one to get out of, there’s a lot of physical teams down there.
“This year, there’s been a lot of quality games and that seems to suit us. It brings the best out in us.”
Donegal Town have had a stable squad over the last couple of campaigns. They’ve managed to retain most of their players from season to season and therefore they’re very accustomed to one another.
They’ve acquired the services of Ultan O’Grady this season and some of the young individuals within the group have stepped up to the plate for the side which Hegarty stated has been very important.
“All of the boys have been together for a good few years and this year we’ve only gained players, we haven’t lost any so that’s a big help.
“We’ve got players like Ultan O’Grady back with us and that only adds to the group. The young boys aren’t so young anymore and they’re starting to step up as well so that’s been really important.”
Due to the Christmas break, the weather and the Oscar Traynor Cup, there’s been a gap between Donegal Junior League fixtures which leaves teams including Donegal Town finding it difficult to find a rhythm.
Speaking to the Donegal News, the Donegal Town manager discussed that it’s been hard to keep momentum going but after a positive start to the new year and a couple of contests on the horizon, he’s now hoping to discover this.
“It has been (difficult), especially this year with the weather. No one can control it but it’s hard to keep momentum going. We’ve had Ronan (McHugh) involved in the Oscar Traynor and then you had the Christmas break.
“It was really tough there before Christmas and we’re just really happy with the start we’ve had after the new year. We’d a tough last game of the first half of the season away at Fanad so it was important to get off to a good start.
“We’ve a few games coming up now so hopefully we can find our momentum and keep the points ticking over hopefully.”
The Donegal Town men are back in action this Sunday when they face Kildrum Tigers on home soil at the Hospital Field.
Despite us being into the second half of the season, this is set to be the pair’s first meeting of the campaign which Hegarty said leaves them slightly in the unknown.
However, he discussed that if the Kildrum outfit from previous encounters against them show up then he’s expecting a tough assignment when they take to the field.
“Kildrum are always a strong, physical side and they’ve got quality players. We haven’t actually played them yet this season so we’re a bit in the unknown, but if it’s the Kildrum that it usually is then we know it’s going to be a tough test and if we’re not at it then they’ll turn us over.
“We’ll put in a good week’s preparation and we’ll go for it then on Sunday.”
Sunday’s encounter begins a run of three consecutive outings for Donegal Town, with encounters against St Catherine’s and Letterkenny Rovers coming in the following two weeks.
The Donegal Town boss is aware of the challenges that lie ahead of his outfit but he’s hoping that they can get over the line and build some momentum going forward.
“Hopefully we start it now this weekend. As you said, It’s a couple of consecutive games but it’s also a couple of very tough games so the first game this weekend can set the tone.
“We’ll just look to get that result on Sunday and then we’ll look to the next but hopefully we’ll get that result and push on over the next couple of weeks.”
