The group phase of the Under 21 Club Championships have come under fire in certain quarters over the last few weeks but Kilcar boss Gary Reilly says the extra games have suited his team as they prepare for a final clash with Red Hughs.
The Towney men have been one of the top sides in Donegal in the senior championship over the last decade.
However, their numbers are low at underage level and that’s why they are competing at ‘C’ grade.
Reilly explains that some members of the team have played very little football this season and they have really enjoyed the last eight weeks.
“It was needed for our lads this year.
“We only had Ciaran O’Donnell who togged out for our seniors in the championship.
“At reserve level, we only played five league games and everyone one of them was 13-a-side. There was just a lack of players.
“Our minors didn’t get much football either in the summer. Maybe half-a-dozen games and then some of our older players were injured.
“So for a lot of our players, there wasn’t a lot of football played this year. They were coming in a bit cold and the group stage suited us.
“The first few games gave us an idea of what we were working with.
“The first day that we started training together, you could see that there was a hunger among the lads, and they just love playing football.
“We decided then we would push them as hard as we could.
“Now they are through to an Under 21 County Final and 2015 was the last time Kilcar were in a final at this age. We haven’t won a game in the last few years.
“It’s been a great lift for the club, and it has given the young lads a taste of what it’s like so that they are ready for adult football for next year, especially as we have the All-Ireland Gaeltacht next year.
“We have a good crop coming now. Every journey has a starting point and the ‘C’ championship has provided that. I think they would compete at ‘B’ level and hopefully we will be there next year regardless of the result on Saturday.”
Kilcar defeated Naomh Muire and Red Hughs during the group phase before losing narrowly to Killybegs.
However, they saw off the Fishermen in their semi-final in which was a throwback to big championship tussles from back in the day.
They’ll start the final as favourites on the basis that they hammered Red Hughs by 5-16 to 1-6 in November.
However, Reilly feels their opponents have stepped it up since then.
“You can’t read much into it.
“Red Hughs have got a lot of quality players.
“There was a big wind in Towney that day and we just seemed to make more use of it in the second half when we had it.
“Yeah the scoreline looked like we dominated but it wasn’t a true reflection. They probably just didn’t get the scores they needed in the first half and it’s always going to be hard playing into the bay in Towney when you need scores.
“I can guarantee it will be a different type of game on Saturday.
“I do believe it is the two best teams left. As good as Killybegs were on our side, Red Hughs have beaten everyone that we have beaten as well as Downings and Red Hughs.
“When you get through to a county final, anything can happen.”
