Sheridan expecting tough Oscar Traynor Cup clash

BY MATTHEW WILSON

EAMONN Sheridan is back in the dugout for the Donegal Junior League as they gear towards this Sunday’s Oscar Traynor Cup clash with the Inishowen League.

The Donegal Junior League manager has recruited the cream of the crop from outfits in the Brian McCormick Premier Division to take to the field as they seek to represent Ulster in the competition.

Since gathering for the first time at the end of October, the side have been going through their paces to get ready for the upcoming encounter.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Sheridan expressed that preparations for this weekend are going well and despite not having as much time as they’d have liked together, they look to have a clean bill of health ahead of Sunday’s tie.

“The preparations are going well, I haven’t heard of any injuries from Sunday’s games so hopefully we’ll have a clean bill of health for the weekend ahead and we’ll see how it goes then on Sunday.”

“We probably haven’t got as much time together as we’d have liked this year but we know most of the players that are out there now.”

The former Finn Harps striker had Shane Bradley as defensive coach last term, while Kyle Moloney worked with the midfielders and Michael McHugh mentored the forwards.

He has regained the services of Moloney and McHugh this year while Fanad man Paul Friel has replaced Shane Bradley.

“Kyle and Mickey are back involved and Paul Friel is replacing Shane Bradley, Shane can’t commit as he has his own commitments and has too much on.”

“Paul would’ve been in with me at Rathmullan so he is a good man to get.”

Having taken over from John Francis Doogan last term, Sheridan is entering his second year in the Donegal Junior League hotseat.

Sheridan had previously taken charge of his native Rathmullan Celtic for four seasons before stepping down from the role in 2024.

Being manager of the Donegal Junior League side is one that Sheridan has enjoyed since undertaking the role 12 months ago, labelling the ‘great’ group that he’s working with as one that’s committed to the cause.

“It’s very enjoyable”, said Sheridan .They’re a great bunch of boys and the craic is good. They’re all dedicated to the cause and that’s a plus.”

“For me, there’s a lot of stuff done during the week so it’s fine for the weekend then. These competitive games will be on the weekend but normally it doesn’t really affect my weekend which is great.

“As I said, they’re a great bunch and that’s half the battle, when you have the boys that want to be there in the first place.”

The increase in both standard and competitiveness within the Donegal Junior League has made Sheridan and his backroom team’s job selecting a squad a lot tougher, with a large pool of quality players to choose from.

The former Rathmullan Celtic boss was in agreement that the competition within the league is fierce, with promoted sides Donegal Town and Glenea United impressing him along with the rest of the division’s regular outfits.

“One hundred per cent. Letterkenny Rovers have been the team to be knocked off their perch over the last few years, they’re a very good team with some quality players.

“You have Bonagee United as well and Fanad are never far away among many other teams. There’s no easy games and that’s the thing about it, it’s a hard league.

“Glenea came up last year along with Donegal Town. I watched Glenea last week, they were beaten 4-3 and were very unlucky. They got a draw on Sunday against Bonagee who’s top of the league.

“Donegal Town, I was very impressed with them. I saw them play Letterkenny Rovers and Letterkenny beat them 1-0 in a very hard game. They are very impressive too so that’s teams coming up, never mind the teams who have been there the last number of years with the likes of Kilmacrennan and Keadue.

“It’s a dogged league but it’s great come April because you’re guaranteed a great game when you go to it.”

The Donegal Junior League side are now going through their final preparations ahead of the first of two meetings with the Inishowen League in the opening round of the Oscar Traynor Cup.

The first leg of the tie takes place this Sunday at Ballyare (kick-off, 2pm), with the return leg scheduled for December 14.

The local rivals have had some serious battles down through the years and this year is expected to be no different.

“Definitely, there’ll be nothing in it. Apparently they have a lot of Cockhill Celtic players in it this year and I’m sure they’ll have Buncrana players as well. These teams have been knocking on the door the last couple of years in the FAI Junior Cup.”

“They’re quality players and I don’t expect much to be between the teams. We’ve a good team too and I’d be very happy with the team that we have but I just know that it’s going to be a ding dong battle and a bounce of the ball here and there will be the height of it.”

Sheridan’s charges were triumphant in the meeting last year, winning on penalties after the sides were level at 4-4 on aggregate on the conclusion of the two legs.

The Donegal Junior League boss hopes that spot-kicks aren’t the deciding factor again this term but understands the task that his outfit face when they meet the Inishowen men.

“Hopefully it’ll not go to penalties. We came out the right side of it but penalties are a lottery. We were probably disappointed not to finish the game off in normal time of the second leg but that’s the way it goes.”

“You’ve no divine right to win anything but I know that Inishowen will not lie down. We know what we’re up against and it’ll be a hard battle.”

Donegal Junior League squad:

Michael Lynch, Tiernan Browne, Johnny Robb, Shane McGinty, Keenan Diver (Kildrum Tigers) Andrew Nicholls, Jack Parke, Gareth Harkin, Tommy McMonagle (Bonagee United) Dean McCarry, Padraic Gilsenan, Aidy Delap, Simon McGlynn, Shane McNamee (Letterkenny Rovers). Ultan O’Grady, Ronan McHugh (Donegal Town) Paddy Carr, Eddie O’Reilly (Fanad United) Aidan Brennan, Brendan McClafferty (Keadue Rovers) Ryan Cunningham (St Catherines) Ryan Shields (Kilmacrennan Celtic)