THE ULSTER Minor League and Championship-winning Donegal minor squad of 2016 were honoured at a function last night in Ballybofey.
Shaun Paul Barrett’s team (pictured above by Geraldine Diver) won the Ulster double in a superb first year in charge for the Milford clubman.
In April, Niall O’Donnell scored 2-3 and Aidan McLaughlin bagged a late goal in a 3-9 to 1-13 win over Tyrone in the Ulster Minor League final.
Goals by Nathan Boyle and JD Boyle gave Donegal a 2-10 to 1-11 win over Derry in the Ulster MFC final at Clones in July with Barrett’s side going on to reach an All-Ireland semi-final, where they lost to Galway at Croke Park.
[adrotate group=”85″]“We always had belief in these lads,” Barrett told Donegal Sport Hub at last night’s function in the Villa Rose Hotel.
“Once we got the squad settled down, I knew with the attitude, work-rate and ability they had that we’d give it a good shot.
“They were well prepared and they were together. They had great belief and never thought they were beaten. They worked hard and they kept at it.
[adrotate group=”76″]“We instilled that in them every night, that bit of belief. They had a huge amount of confidence and belief. It stood to them.”
O’Donnell and McGee were joint captains in 2016 and Cloughaneely man McGee savoured the memorable campaign.
He said: “Memories were made that will never be forgotten. Everyone was great and we gave it a good run.
[adrotate group=”46″]“We were very hungry in 2016. We knew that we needed to work hard.”
The Donegal County Chairman Sean Dunnion hailed a ‘magnificent year’ for the minors.
He said: “It’s our second Ulster Minor League and Championship double in three years.
“There has been a huge amount of work gone into the Development Squad system and it’s a great to everyone involved in coaching in the county.
[adrotate group=”53″]“It’s preparing players to be senior players. The preparation is way beyond where it was five or ten years ago.”
The special guest for last night’s function was the Ulster Council’s Vice-President, Oliver Galligan.
Mr Galligan said: “There is great work going on in Donegal in coaching and games development. The work is going on. I’m not surprised at the success, but the big thing now is for them to develop into the under-21s and the seniors.”
Listen to the full podcast below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/donegal-sport-hub-podcast-42-donegal-minors-ulster-league-and-championship-winners
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