By Michael McMullan

THE Ulster League has been productive for Gaoth Dobhair who take on Antrim side All Saint’s in this weekend’s semi-final.

A new set of rules led to an influx in entries this season but Gaoth Dobhair manager Rónán Mac Niallais points to another benefit.

After losing to Naomh Conaill in the 2023 county final, they’d an exodus of experience. The young bucks needed blooded and the Ulster League ticked that box. They wanted the same this season.

While Four Masters were getting to three Ulster Minor finals, it was Gaoth Dobhair who pushed them hardest in Donegal. It’s about getting them to senior level now.

His brother Odhrán is back from Australia and back training. Odhrán McFadden-Ferry made a return from injury in Donegal’s win over Derry. That’s the other long-term benefits he’s hoping for.

“The added factor this year then of the new rules, it was an extra incentive to take part in it this year.” Mac Niallais said of their early 2025 thoughts.

“The first reason for taking part last year was for young players, to develop them, to give them senior experience. That was the aim this year again, it’s the same.

“It’s a great experience for them and their football development to be playing senior football. We’ll always have a few senior players in and around them as well to fill out the team. They’re not going to be completely naive.”

There was a comfortable win over Glenullin before digging out a one-point win in Faughanvale. They followed it up with a win over Dungloe. A victory over a neighbouring club always has value. They were one-point winners over Swatragh in last weekend’s quarter-final.

Players were making their debuts. They were on the road and getting results. Mac Niallais hopes it will stand to them. For now, it’s about looking to see who is putting their hand up ahead of the Donegal leagues.

“Odhrán (Mac Niallais) has moved back but he’s been a year without football,” the Gaoth Dobhair boss added.

“It’s going to take him time to get anywhere near the levels. Our boys are now on year two of a progressive S&C programme

“He has the talent, so maybe in a few months’ time we’ll start to see the best of him again. Odhrán McFadden-Ferry would be another fellow we should have for the championship.

“We could field a team in Australia alone, so there’s a few boys that we’ll be keeping in touch with, to see if they come back.”

He crosses his fingers but accepts that it’s unlikely. What they have now will be the group they’ll challenge later in the season when the county players fuse back in.

For now, a win over Ballymena would give their newcomers another day. A final. A chance at silverware. A chance to grow.