Padraig McGettigan in action for the Donegal Under 17 team last week.
PÁDRAIG McGettigan is one of the busiest footballers in Donegal at present, but he has been in excellent form for both his school and his county.
McGettigan is part of the Donegal Under 17 team this year, and after catching the eye in a couple of challenge games, he helped Gary Duffy’s side to victory in their competitive opener against Tyrone last Saturday.
The powerful midfielder has also been starring for St Eunan’s College recently, and has played an integral role as they marched through to the MacLarnon Cup final.
There’s a lot going on at the minute, but McGettigan says his respective managers are working together to ensure that he stays fresh and in good form.
“I’m finding it good. It’s just about trying to get a good balance.
“Mr Gordon, Mr McFadden, and Gary Duffy are working together to try and balance out the training so I can please everyone.
“I’ve been just trying to do my best for both teams, and I’m on form this weather. Hopefully I can carry that through to Monday and have a good game.”
St Eunan’s have been aiming to reach the MacLarnon Cup final since the start of the season, and have left no stone unturned in their preparations.
They have trained at 7.30 am in the morning, and the panel have worked hard as they get ready for the decider with Holy Trinity.
“It’s a bit too early for some of the boys, but we have been out early Mondays and Wednesdays.
“It’s going well and we’re training hard, so hopefully that will pay off now.”
McGettigan scored five points as the Sentry Hill lads saw off Loreto College, Coleraine in the quarter-final.
They won that game comfortably to set up an intriguing semi-final with their Donegal foes, Coláistí Inis Eoghain.
McGettigan scored a goal in that game as St Eunan’s won on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-10 against the Inishowen amalgamation team.
He said: “Every semi-final is tough but the Donegal rivalry made it twice as hard.
“It was good to pull through, and my left foot was going well that day.
“It will have us well prepared anyway. It’s good to get a tight game in the semi-final and that has put us on track for the final.”
It’s not just on the playing field that McGettigan catches the eye, as he excels academically as well.
The 17-year-old was also elected as Mayor of the Donegal Youth Council, and hopes to call upon his leadership qualities at the Athletic Grounds.
“Hopefully I will be able to show a bit of leadership along with Shane (McDevitt), Eoin (O’Boyle), Brian (Diver) and all the rest of the boys, and we can do the job.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)