Finnbarr Roarty will not feature for the Donegal Under 20 team in their championship opener against Fermanagh in Brewster Park on Wednesday.
Roarty was Under 20 captain last year, and is still eligible to play at that age grade again in 2026.
The Naomh Conaill man has made a good impression for the Donegal senior side this season and has played in four of their six league matches.
It could potentially be a hectic schedule down the line for Roarty as Donegal are due to face Tyrone in the Under 20 Championship on April 2 just four days before the big Ulster Senior Preliminary Round clash between Donegal and Derry.
Jim McGuinness was asked on Sunday if he would be keeping Roarty solely for the senior side and it is a situation that the management team will monitor over the coming weeks.
“Unfortunately he is suspended for the first two (Under 20) games because of an altercation last year after the (Derry) game so that takes him out of the firing line for the first two games,” said McGuinness.
“We did have a plan for that until we found out he was suspended for those two games.
“They are playing week after week. He will miss the first two rounds now so we will have to get our heads together to see how we manage him for the other games coming down the track.
“Obviously he’s a very talented boy and he’s playing senior football and he’s an integral part at times defensively.
“He did really well (on Sunday) and had a brilliant tackle on Peter Harte.
“Another situation that will have to be managed very carefully.”
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