Football

Oak Leaf U20s bursting with confidence ahead of stiff Mourne examination

Derry's U20 manager Mickey Donnelly has guided the Oak Leafers to tomorrow's semi-finals against Down at Clones
Derry's U20 manager Mickey Donnelly has guided the Oak Leafers to tomorrow's semi-finals against Down at Clones Derry's U20 manager Mickey Donnelly has guided the Oak Leafers to tomorrow's semi-finals against Down at Clones

U20 Ulster U20 Championship semi-final: Derry v Down (tomorrow, Clones, 2pm)

DERRY go into tomorrow's Ulster U20 semi-final bursting with confidence after they were surprise winners over favourites Donegal last week.

The Oak Leaf young guns take on Down who defeated Antrim in a helter-skelter thriller in Pairc Esler just less than fortnight ago.

Derry U20 manager Mickey Donnelly masterminded that win over Donegal but he won't have to think too hard to find the holes in Down's defence if the Mourne lads' last outing is anything to go by. Then, Down leaked 3-13 but they possessed enough scoring power to get over the line.

Down U20 manager and former All-Ireland winner Conor Deegan wasn't happy with the defensive display and it is understood that a lot of the work in training has been on shutting Derry out.

Conor McCluskey and Padraig McGrogan have played at senior level for the Oak Leafers but other players expected to shine in Clones include the lively McWilliams brothers Oisin (who scored four points from play against Donegal) and Lorcan, the steady-kicking Jude McAtamney and athletic Conor Doherty.

Down U20 boss Conor Deegan will have his side set-up to counter attack with dual star Conor McCrickard (who bagged 2-2 against Antrim) expected to carry his share of the scoring burden.

Saval's Pierce Laverty is Down's lynchpin who makes the simple passes but can breeze beyond a marker with ease.

Up front too Down need young Jack McCartan and Burren duo Liam Kerr and Ronan Fegan to be on form, whether starting or coming off the bench, while Owen McCabe and Josh Connery are exciting forwards.

Derry go into Sunday's game as favourites to reach the Ulster Final on Sunday, June 24, but as recent events have shown that tag can weigh heavy and Down won't mind going into the semi-final as underdogs.