Football

Monaghan face Donegal in Ballybofey in Ulster U20 Championship showdown

Jason Irwin is one of the stars who have progressed to U20 level from Monaghan's successful U17 sides. Picture Seamus Loughran
Jason Irwin is one of the stars who have progressed to U20 level from Monaghan's successful U17 sides. Picture Seamus Loughran Jason Irwin is one of the stars who have progressed to U20 level from Monaghan's successful U17 sides. Picture Seamus Loughran

Ulster U20FC quarter-finals: Donegal v Monaghan (today, Ballybofey, 2pm)

WITH back-to-back minor titles behind them, Monaghan now look a genuine force at underage level and the Farney county youngsters get the chance to prove their credentials as provincials favourites in this afternoon’s quarter-final at MacChumaill Park.

Andy Callan’s side will include several of the talented youngsters that propelled the county to wins over Derry (2018) and Tyrone (last year) at the U17 grade as well as a couple of players who have already made a mark at senior level under Seamus McEneaney this season.

Aaron Mulligan – man of the match against Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup - came off the bench to score points against Galway and Tyrone while Andrew Woods also featured against the Tribesmen and both seem certain starters if fit this afternoon.

Callan expects to need both against a Donegal side that went unbeaten through the Leo Murphy Cup earlier this year. Two late points from Ronan Frain secured a draw for the Tir Chonaill youngsters in Derry and a point from Bundoran forward Oisin Walsh clinched a 0-7 to 0-6 win over Ballybofey. They finished their campaign with another stalemate against Mayo in Ballyhaunis.

“Any time you have to go up to Ballybofey to beat Donegal you know you have a massive task on your hands,” said Callan.

“All we can do is prepare the best we can, do a wee bit of homework on Donegal and hope for a massive performance, because it’s going to take a massive performance to come out of Ballybofey with a victory.”

Donegal are managed by Shaun Paul Barrett, who took over from Gary McDaid at the end of last season. Barrett will be without Donegal senior star Oisin Gallen this afternoon – the Bundoran forward is injured, as is Conor O’Donnell, another senior panellist and U20 captain last season.

On the plus side, Naomh Columba’s Aaron Doherty is back in harness after spending last season in Declan Bonner’s senior set-up.

“Monaghan would be strong favourites, they have won the last two Ulster minor Championships, and we’d be very aware of that,” said Barrett.

“And they have four or five lads in with their seniors at the moment, and played in the McKenna Cup, top forwards like Aaron Mulligan and young Andrew Woods and Jason Irwin, and young Ryan O’Toole at full-back, excellent players.

“They have real quality and we know we have our hands full facing them, but we hope to make a good game of it. It’s win or nothing, so we have to put our best foot forward.”

Donegal’s impressive form in the Leo Murphy Cup was matched by Monaghan’s in the Phillip McGuinness competition. The Farney county lads accounted for Longford 3-11 to 1-8 in the decider with Jason Irwin top scoring with 2-2.

“A lot of players are being pulled in different directions at this time of year so it hasn’t been easy and I’m sure every manager is in the same boat,” said Carrickmacross native Callan.

“But they have come together well. We had a good look at our extended panel in the league and we got the extra game getting to the final of the Philly McGuinness Cup and winning it was nice.

“Lads put their hands up in the League and we know now that we have a strong panel.”