Donegal takes on Dublin
30.04.10
Report, Inishowen
Independent
HUNDREDS of supporters from Inishowen are expected
to descend on Breffni Park, Cavan, on Saturday evening
to see the county’s under-21 footballers take on Dublin
in the Cadbury’s All-Ireland U21 final (throw-in 7pm).
The final is Donegal’s first at the grade since 1987,
and the county’s first All-Ireland appearance since
winning the senior title in 1992.
Three local men – Declan Walsh (Malin), Tommy McKinley
(Newtown) and Danny Murphy (Moville) – are in the squad,
lending even more local interest in this crunch decider.
All three have been prominent in Donegal’s four games to
date and are in line to become the first Inishowen men
to line out in an intercounty All-Ireland final.
Manager Jim McGuinness, who was a substitute for the
Donegal seniors in the 1992 final, has masterminded the
All-Ireland final appearance in his first outing as an
intercounty manager.
He’s confident that Donegal will emerge victorious on
Saturday night. |
“In my own mind, and in the
players’ minds, we feel we can win it and I don’t think
we’d be in the final if we didn’t have that mindset,” he
said at a press conference in the Mount Errigal last
Saturday. “Finals are there to be won. No one will
remember this team if we are beaten. We have to go and
win the final.”
Donegal are underdogs for Saturday’s final, with Dublin
the favourites in many pundits’ eyes. However, the
mantle sits easy on the Donegal players – they were
considered underdogs before defeating Armagh, Derry and
then Cavan in the Ulster final. They stuttered in the
first half of their All-Ireland semi-final meeting with
Tipperary, before easing to an eight point victory.
Dublin had eight points to spare over Roscommon in the
other semi to set up this mouth watering decider.
McGuinness has emphasised the importance of the players
remaining focused and relaxed and giving their best
performance of the year on Saturday night.
“It’s a matter of going out and doing it. It’s the
chance of a lifetime, a one off. This group of players
will never be together again after Saturday. It’s the
last chance for them to show what they’re capable of.”
“It’s important that everything in them is brought out
and they have no regrets afterwards. It’s something they
will carry with them for the rest of their careers.”
Saturday night’s game is live on TG4, and a number of
local clubs are running supporters buses to the Cavan
venue.
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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