BY RYAN FERRY
Young players coming up the ranks dream of big days in the Donegal jersey in Clones and Croke Park.
However, there was precious little glamour to be found at Cargin on Sunday.
It was hard for players to keep their feet while time after time the ball was turned over.
Perhaps it isn’t the silky skills that are measured on a day like that but rather the character of a player when they make a mistake and their desire to work hard and make good decisions for the team.
Ultan Doherty (Naomh Conaill) is 28 and has had to bide his time for a chance. However, he defended well at corner-back on the tricky Oisin Doherty.
Paul O’Hare (Naomh Columba) was busy throughout the game and saw a lot of the ball. He’s a clever player who rarely gives the ball away.
Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill) is a teenager with a bright future ahead of him and he was assured in possession from left half-back.
Not everything came off for Kieran Gallagher (Naomh Conaill) in the middle of the field but he did well in the aerial exchanges and was involved in a lot of Donegal’s good play.
Turlough Carr (Four Masters) started at centre half-forward and was particularly prominent in the first twenty minutes. He was off target with a couple of shots but was lively and McGuinness likened him to former Donegal star Michael Hegarty after the match.
Conor McCahill (Four Masters) is still in secondary school but was energetic in this game at corner-forward. He was off target with a few shots but got a nice point and pressed well. He was influential in the second half as he probed and also claimed two kick-outs.
Shea Malone (Naomh Conaill) was the official man-of-the-match on Sunday. He did miss one free he should have got but other than that, he can be really happy with his debut. He kicked three points from play from the inside line, and won a two-point free while his timing was impressive.
Cormac Gallagher (Termon) has developed physically in recent years and looked at home in the Donegal backline. He was good defensively and played a role in the goal.
Eoin McGeehin (St Eunan’s) didn’t see a huge amount of ball at full-forward but he is a poacher and when he got a sniff at goal he made no mistake with a cool finish.
Players with searing pace will always be valuable and Kevin Muldoon (Four Masters) has speed in abundance. He scored one super point from right wing-forward but it’s on hard ground where he will really flourish.
After a long pre-season, all ten will be pleased to have been given an opportunity and they will hope to feature once more against Derry on Wednesday.
