Ulster U20 Football Championship
Donegal v Antrim Ballybofey
7.30pm Wednesday 29th March
Antrim U20 footballers make the mid-week journey to Ballybofey for their quarter final meeting with Donegal with a quiet confidence within the camp. The team have had a mediocre league campaign, beating Down but losing to Tyrone and Meath.
Wednesday will see a nearly full strength Antrim take to the pitch, a relief for manager Niall Jackman, who has had to deal with a lot of player unavailability throughout the league and a major injury crisis at one point which saw eleven players unavailable for selection for the trip to Meath.
Benen Kelly, Cahir Donnelly, Ronan McKillop and Eoin Gough have all returned to training after injuries while the inclusion in the group of senior panellists Calum Higgins, Conall McGirr and Conchuir Johnston has undoubtedly strengthened the group.
Up front Ryan McQuillan has been in scintillating form for Antrim this season but captain Shaun O’Callaghan is a doubt and will undertake a fitness test today (Tuesday) to determine his availability for the Wednesday night clash.
The All Saints clubman has been in excellent form this season and Antrim could do with his on pitch leadership.
The management team of Niall Jackman, Aaron Douglas, Stephen Bateson, Matthew Gribbin and Paddy Kelly have assembled a good group of players with many with at least another season available at this age grade, fifteen of the thirty one man panel being eligible next year.
Many have written off Antrim’s chances against a much fancied Donegal team but if Antrim show the form of the Down game and their recent challenge victory over Cavan, a shock could be on the cards, but with Luke McGlynn in fine form for Donegal, the Saffrons will have their work cut out.
Donegal have many of the team from last season back, a good group who were very unlucky to be beat in the semi-final by eventual All Ireland champions Tyrone.
The Saffron Gael will be there to cover the game so why not come along and join us and lend your support to our senior players of the future.
Antrim Panel v Donegal
1. GK Shea Laverty-Clann na hEireann
2. Eoin Gough-Naomh Seamus
3. Dan McNicholl-Ruairi Mhic Asmaint
4. Cahir Donnelly-Clann na hEireann
5. Tiernan McCormack-Naomh Eargnaid
6. Conan Johnston-Clann na hEireann
7. Patrick Ferris-Naomh Uile
8. Eunan Quinn-Clann na hEireann
9. Conor Hand-Naomh Eoin
10. Calum Higgins-Con Mag Aoidh
11. Tom Shivers-Clann na hEireann
12. Ronan McKillop-Naomh Uile
13. Niall Fallon-Naomh Gall
14. Ryan McQuillan-Con Mag Aoidh
15. Benen Kelly-Clann na hEireann
16. GK Jamie McLaughlin Naomh Eargnaid
17. Callum Walsh-Naomh Gall
18. Shaun O’Callaghan-Naomh Uile
19. Stephen Devlin-Achadh Gallain
20. Paul Duffin-Naomh Earghaid
21. Niall Duffy-Naomh Brid
22. Ciaran McAleese-Ruairi Mhic Asmaint
23. Conall McGirr-Naomh Gall
24. Conhuir Johnston-Clann na hEireann
25. Rory McErlean-Naomh Brid
26. Jack Toner-Naomh Brid
27. Eoghan O’Hare-Naomh Eanna
28. Patrick Moyes-Ui D Rossa
29. Conchur Adams-Naomh Eoin
30. Darragh Doherty-Naomh Seosamh
31. GK Rory Gribbon-Naomh Earghaid