DECLAN BONNER admits that his Under-21s are ‘in at the deep end’ ahead of Sunday’s Dr McKenna Cup opener against UUJ at Sean MacCumhaill Park.
The Under-21 side – similar to the move made by Donegal in 2013 – are to play in the McKenna Cup, with Rory Gallagher opting to keep his senior panel focussed on the Allianz League, which gets underway in early February.
Donegal have been handed a tough draw in the competition, which opens against a UUJ side managed by Martin McHugh and a squad containing five Donegal players – Patrick McBrearty, Eoin McHugh, Ryan McHugh, Lorcan Connor and John Fitzgerald.
Stephen McBrearty will miss the duration of the McKenna Cup having injured a hamstring in Tuesday’s North-West Cup defeat to Sligo. The Kilcar man, who would have been one of the more experienced players set to feature, is facing three weeks on the sidelines.
Bonner will be without some college-tied players this weekend, namely Cian Mulligan, Caolan McGonigle (both DCU); Kieran Gillespie (DIT), Mark Coyle (GMIT) and Downings man Connor who could be on the opposition side.
Jason McGee will sit out the game because of a virus, but Bonner is hopeful of being able to include Jamie Brennan, who he said was ‘progressing well’ having been down with a bug.
Brennan and Eoghan Ban Gallagher are at Sligo IT and may yet line out for their college in the FBD League on Sunday.
Micheál Carroll and Conor Morrison could feature in Ballybofey while Bonner has confirmed that Moville man Tony McClenaghan will captain the side on Sunday.
Bonner’s preparations have not been smooth and Tuesday’s game against Sligo – with several key players absent – was one of the few collective sessions the squad has had.
“This is a senior inter-county competition and we’re in at the deep end,” Bonner said.
“We basically have one squad that is part of the senior panel and another squad that isn’t with the seniors.
[adrotate group=”88″]“It’s hard to build unity, spirit or anything let alone work on tactics.
“It will be a big learning experience for us and we’ve had little preparation at all. But if we manage to come out the other side and have learned from the experience, it will have been worthwhile.
“We’ll look to see if certain players will be ready for March 15.
“We’re a wee bit cold into this and we’ll just be feeling our way about to see where exactly we are, but it’s a chance for players to stand up and be counted.”
St Eunan’s Rory Carr is on the long-term injury list and will not return to contact training until March having had surgery on a shoulder injury.
Bonner knows that a big test awaits his men on Sunday.
[adrotate group=”81″]He said: “UUJ have some top class players. Look at Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty, Eoin McHugh, Eoin Donnelly, Ryan McAnespie, Ronan McNamee, these boys are all established county footballers.
“Look, we’re in a senior competition and we’ll just have to go and give it our best shot. The bigger picture for us is March 15 and the Ulster Under-21 Championship against Tyrone.
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