THE ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE are heading for Cork tomorrow intent on taking the Michael Ward Trophy back to Donegal.
This weekend’s FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament is being hosted by Munster and Peter Moran, the new USL manager, is traveling with something of an under-strength panel.
However, despite being missing the likes of Malachy McDermott, Garbhan Friel, Gavin Cullen, David Shovlin, Ryan Gildea and Matthew Crossan from his panel, Moran is confident.
“The 20 players that we’ll take are the best 20 that we can take,” he told Donegal Sport Hub.
“The Ulster Senior League have backed us to the hilt and we’re going there to be competitive and to bring back the trophy.”
The USL begin the weekend on Friday night when they take on Leinster before they take on Connacht on Saturday and finish with a game against the hosts, Munster, on Sunday.
Moran said: “Losing in the first game can’t be an option. That puts you up against a brick wall.”
Two captains, Davitt Walsh of Fanad United and Peter Doherty of Cockhill Celtic, have been chosen.
Walsh said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a long trip for us. Cork is tough because we’re all so far away, but I’m really looking forward to it.
“We have a very high standard of player in the Ulster Senior League. We’ll definitely do well.”
[adrotate group=”83″]The USL won this tournament in 2013 and 2014, under the management of Donal O’Brien – and Doherty says those wins heightened the perception of the local League.
He said: “The boys won it there two years and people started to give them recognition and see that quality is up here. I don’t think the League got much recognition until that.”
Listen to the full interviews below ….
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