Rory Gallagher
GAA – DR MCKENNA CUP
By Harry Walsh
WITH less than two weeks to go before Donegal begin their Dr McKenna Cup campaign against Derry, new team manager Rory Gallagher has finalised his new-look panel.
There are a total of thirteen new faces, including Eoin McHugh (Kilcar) and Conor Parke (St Eunan’s) who played in the U21 County final on Saturday.
Other new names on the Donegal panel include Ardara’s Ryan Malley and Eunan Doherty from the neighbouring Naomh Conaill club together with Ciaran McGinley (Kilcar), Kevin McBrearty (Four Masters) and St Michael’s goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley.
Because they reached the All- Ireland final, Donegal are not permitted to resume senior squad training until next weekend – just a week before their opening game at Celtic Park.
As a result, the Donegal side which takes the field against Derry is likely to bear little resemblance to that which lined out against Kerry on the third Sunday in September.
Donegal have been drawn alongside Derry, Queen’s University and Gallagher’s native Fermanagh in Group B of the competition.
Donegal will host Queen’s in Ballybofey on January 11th before Fermanagh visit Sean MacCumhaill Park on Wednesday, January 14.
Donegal and Derry are scheduled for two meetings in January. As well as opening the McKenna Cup, the pair also cross swords on the opening night of the 2015 National Football League. On Saturday, January 31, Donegal host Derry, still managed by former Donegal manager Brian McIver, in Ballybofey.
SEE MONDAY’S DONEGAL NEWS FOR FULL REPORT
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