Donegal boss pleased by minor championship restart

DONEGAL u-17 manager Luke Barrett admits that the decision to recommence the Ulster Minor Championship this side of Christmas has come as something of an unexpected development.

Their rearranged quarter-final clash against Tyrone will now go ahead on Sunday week at Ballybofey, and it’s very much a case of better late than never.

They were initially meant to cross swords as the curtain-raiser to the Tyrone-Donegal Ulster Championship senior clash a month ago, but the game was pulled just days beforehand as the Irish government implemented a level five lockdown.

Restrictions have been loosened and the GAA has given the go-ahead to the minor championships in all four provinces, so Barrett is pleasantly surprised that they’ll get their big day after all.

The Milford clubman said: “To be honest, last time around we thought that it was going to be called off for good.

“During the summer we always had hope that once football resumed we’d be a part of things, but when it was postponed for a second time, I struggled to see it happening, especially not before the new year. I wasn’t in any way optimistic to be honest with you.”

Training has been a stop-start affair in this, his first season in charge of the u-17s, but the obvious point to make is that at least everyone is in the same boat.

“We got back training for six weeks from September onwards, and that six weeks was probably the best block of training we had as the lads were in good shape coming back from club football.

“Then after the latest lockdown, we didn’t really do anything for six weeks apart from a bit of individual training.

“We trained last Tuesday night for the first time in six weeks. We’ve got another week or so to prepare so it’s very difficult to know where we’re at.

“They’re all fantastic lads and have great attitudes, but it’s just hard to know because of the situation, so it remains to be seen if we’ll be fit for Tyrone.”

Milford is still in his 20s but has already made a name for himself as an outstanding young coach.

His father Shaun Paul was appointed to the u-20 job at the same time he was handed the reins to the u-17s, and it’s basically the same age group that he led to the Buncrana Cup final last year at u-16 level.

He’s had extensive coaching experience at Maynooth and his home club Milford, and he also helped out his father when he was in charge of the minor team in 2016 and 2017.

So he’s making quite the name for himself, and he’s keen that his players, who are the sole inter-county team flying the flag for Donegal this year, do likewise.

“I’m sure there will be a bit of a buzz around the county in the week leading up to it. People who enjoy live sport will be interested in how the team is going.

“The original game was supposed to be played before the senior game which would’ve been nice, but look it’ll be nice for the lads to represent their county, and they’ve worked really hard in difficult circumstances.”

By Niall Gartland