Donegal and Down Under 20s tangle with place in semi-finals at stake

Ulster U-20 Football Championship

semi-final

Donegal v Down

Saturday, The Loup, 2.30pm

DONEGAL u-20 goalkeeper Ronan McGeehin has said that penalty kicks are much more suitable than free-taking competitions to decide games that must finish on the day.

His viewpoint may be the least surprising thing you read all week. After all, it was the St Eunan’s man who saved spot-kicks from Monaghan’s Aaron Mulligan, Cormac McKenna and Andrew Woods to secure Donegal’s passage to a semi-final clash with Down on Saturday.

Still, his reasoning is fairly convincing as Shaun Paul Barrett’s side prepare to battle it out with the Mourne county for a spot in the Ulster final.

“It was the first penalty shoot-out I have faced in Gaelic,” said McGeehin. “I used to play a bit of soccer back at u-12 or whatever but I gave that up a good while now.

“I’d prefer penalties to those other ways because you have the chance to attack and defend yourself.

“For those ‘45’ kicks or the frees at the edge of the ‘D’, it’s all about attacking. With penalties there is more control from both sides of the game, you can have more say in it in terms of scoring and keeping scores out.

“It is more exciting and I think it’s fairer than those methods too.”

McGeehin’s intervention was required after the sides could not be separated after 80 minutes.

An Aaron Doherty goal and a fortunate three-pointer from Ethan Harkin kept the Tir Chonaill men in it and Doherty, Eric Carr and Keelan McGroody all converted penalties to help the side win 3-1 on penalties.

McGeehin said that the efforts of goalkeeping coach Darren Nash in the lead up to the game proved invaluable.

“The goalkeepers has done preparation for a potential penalty shoot-out,” he said.

“Our goalkeeping coach, Darren Nash, felt that it was going to be a tight game that could maybe go to penalties. He felt it was best that we prepared for that.

“I’m very glad that he did do the work with us anyway. It gave you confidence when you saw them coming up to the penalty spot.

“The thing is, you know that they’re more nervous than you are because if you don’t save it, then not a wild lot will be said. They’re expected to score it more than I am to save it so it’s all a bonus for me.”

The player is now looking forward to the meeting with Conor Deegan’s side, and he is preparing for another tricky day when it comes to the elements.

“Last Saturday was such a tough challenge,” said McGeehin. “Monaghan were a very, very impressive team and we’re coming up against another excellent side now too.

“The tough conditions made it hard. The wind was a killer and at one point during the second half the hailstones were battering the side of your face.

“By all accounts it’s going to be similar enough conditions this week and you just have to push through it.”

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com

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By Niall McCoy

DOWN manager Conor Deegan is hoping to bring the Mourne county to their first Ulster final since 2009 when they meet Donegal this Saturday.

The last time Down reached the decider at this level was back in 2009 when Conor Poland’s late goal gave them victory over Armagh at a time when the grade was u-21.

The manager is hopeful of bridging the gap and he knows that at this age-group it’s often a case of who shows up best on the day.

“Donegal have been building for the last few years,” he said.

“They had to go to extra-time last week and win on penalties, and that was against a fancied Monaghan side. Obviously they’re in a good place and are maybe favourites, who knows?

“At this age group it’s about who turns up and plays on the day that will make it through to the final.”

Down are at the semi-final stage courtesy of an impressive 1-11 to 0-8 win over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday with Conal McNulty getting their goal late on.

“It wasn’t comfortable by any stretch,” Deegan said. “There was nothing in the game.

“They were physically much bigger than our boys, big men in the right places as well.

“It was tough day with the wind and whatever else. The top goals at Kingspan Park, opposite the town end, were very hard to score in.

“The ground was in good shape but the ball skidded off it. With the wind it just made it tough.

“We got the goal in the 57th or 58th minute so until that point there was nothing in it. You have to be happy.”

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com