BY MATTHEW WILSON
DONEGAL under 20 ladies captain Tara Rose Mahon expressed that they will give it their all when they take to the field to face Galway in this Saturday’s All-Ireland Final.
The Donegal under 20 ladies have enjoyed a fine season to date, claiming the inaugural Karen Jackson Cup last month courtesy of a victory over Tyrone.
Donegal led by 12 points at the short whistle in the showpiece. Despite a fightback from the Red Hand County after the restart, they held on to secure an eight-point win which Mahon was pleased with.
“It was one of the toughest games that we’ve played. Whenever Tyrone were coming back at us, winning the frees and pressing the kick-outs, that’s when we had to work as a team and communicate together to get it out.
“It shows that we can do that when we need to and when we want to so we’ve a lot of confidence anyway going into this Galway game.”
The team, jointly-managed by Paul Gillespie and Dessie McNamara, only linked up at the start of the year but they have gelled together seamlessly.
They opened their campaign with a victory over Tyrone before recording further wins against Down, Monaghan and the Red Hand outfit once again to book their place in this weekend’s All-Ireland decider.
Many of the players were unfamiliar with each other when they first met up, but the Buncrana clubwoman admitted she now couldn’t imagine being without them in the side.
“Yeah, a few girls have come into the squad and a few have gone out. It’s just about getting to know the girls.
“I’d say I wouldn’t have known around ten of the girls’ names but now I couldn’t imagine training without them. The are there by your side and they are there when you need them.”
Mahon was named as the captain of the side by McNamara and Gillespie at the start of the year and she’s taken to the role very well.
It would have been a proud moment for herself and her family when she lifted the Karen Jackson Cup last month following their triumph over Tyrone.
Speaking to the Donegal News, she discussed that receiving the role has helped her own game as it made her forget about herself and focus more on the collective group.
“Definitely, being named captain the first time we went to play a match I was a bit taken aback but I then I thought maybe I do deserve this.
“I think that helped me to push the girls more and have the confidence to do it. It’s definitely such a proud moment for myself and my family.
“I think it’s helped with the nerves a bit. I’m like, I’ve to stop thinking about myself as I’ve a team to lead onto this pitch and I’m just thinking about the girls really.”
Donegal will take to the field for the last time this term on Saturday when they meet Galway in the All-Ireland Final at Kilcoyne Memorial Park in Tubercurry.
Like Donegal, the Tribeswomen have enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, topping their group in the All-Ireland Championship.
Kevin Joyce’s side claimed victories over Meath, Mayo and Cork before losing out to Dublin to set up this weekend’s showdown with Donegal.
For this youthful squad, lifting the trophy in Sligo this Saturday would represent a remarkable achievement and a fitting reward for an outstanding season.
The pair have already faced-off this year, with the Connacht outfit running out winners in a challenge match during pre-season.
The Donegal under 20 captain understands the challenge that they face in the form of the Tribeswomen this Saturday.
But she insists that a lot has changed since their last meeting and stated that they will be giving it their all when they take to the field at Kilcoyne Memorial Park this weekend.
“We played a friendly against Galway early on in the year. It’s good that we’ve had a match against them but it’s a totally different ball game this time.
“We’ve a different way that we play, mindset and everything when we go out on the pitch. We’re looking at them now like it’s just another team.
“We go out and we do our thing but we just know that we have to give it that 110 percent extra. You’re in an All-Ireland Final, it’s going to be a tough game and it’s going to be a fast game.
“But it’s whatever team shows up and whichever team doesn’t stop at the end of the day.”