LUKE Barrett says Donegal are expecting a ‘mammoth task’ in Friday’s Ulster Minor final against Tyrone.
The Ulster Council have confirmed that the game will take place at Brewster Park, Emmiskillen at 7.30pm.
The teams had contrasting semi-finals with Barrett’s Donegal overcing Armagh 1-6 to 0-5 and Tyrone annihilating Fermanagh 6-21 to 1-6.
“The reality is if you want to win an Ulster Championship, you’re going to have to beat Tyrone,” Barrett said.
“Tyrone have been the benchmark in Ulster Minor Football. Maybe not in the last two or three years, but if you go back further than that, they are constantly competitive. They are always in semi-finals and finals, and knocking on the door.
“It would be fantastic for us but we know we have a serious job on our hands come Friday if that dream is to be a reality.”
Tyrone have been in rich scoring form in their campaign so far, while Donegal have had tight outings against Monaghan and Armagh after a big win over Antrim in the preliminary round.
Barrett watched intently as Tyrone demolishing Fermanagh on Saturday evening.
“I haven’t seen too many weakness,” the Donegal manager observed.
“They are very strong defensively. Any team that is scoring 9-37 in two games is definitely doing something right. It’s not one man doing the damage. They have five, six, seven scorers. They’re strong everywhere. It’s going to be a mammoth task.
“if you look at the level that Tyrone are playing at the last two games, to score 9-37 in two championship games is absolutely something else. Unreal shooting no matter who the opposition are.
“In my time I’ve never heard of something like it. They’re very well organised and people might say that maybe Fermanagh or Down on the night were poor, but we’ve done a serious bit of studying on them and they’re phenomenal all over the pitch. A serious outfit.”
