The Donegal U16 hurlers have their first competitive tournament of the season at this Saturday’s Peter O’Keefe inter county blitz, 19th July.
The tournament has traditionally being run by and held in CLG Aodh Ruadh, Ballyshannon to much success and acclaim since it’s inception.
After the disappointment of 2013 (when for the first time Aodh Ruadh did not organise the tournament) that saw only Donegal and Sligo compete, it is being rejuvenated in 2014 by Ulster GAA. In all seven teams from both Connaught and Ulster will take part in what will be an exciting days hurling.
The action starts with Donegal taking on a South Ulster selection team at 11 a.m. This one will be very much a step into the unknown and will prove an interesting task for the lads. Their next game is at 12.30 against Roscommon, a county that at senior level at least has seen many a great tussle.
Last on the cards for Donegal before the A, B and C finals is last years winners Sligo. The Donegal outfit will be hoping to avenge defeat to the same team that beat them at last year’s final, in what was then an U15 tournament. Hence, both teams are quite familiar with each other and could be the match to see who tops the group.
The players have being training hard with both club and county over previous weeks with touch and speed improving. They had a huge learning experience against a highly rated and cohesive Dungiven Kevin Lynchs team only last weekend. Hopefully they will take that experience with them into the tournament and put in some great performances. The team will look to the likes of Oisin Rooney, Kevin Vaughan and Macauley Carr for some inspirational performances.
The other side of the draw sees Mayo, Derry and Tyrone contest with 1st, 2nd and 3rd of each group meeting in their respective finals.
In an interesting move this year’s panel consists of U16 players only as the U15s are not being made available to U16 management at any stage in 2014. Very much a Donegal football policy it will be interesting to see if it can apply to hurling and if Donegal Hurling has the numbers and depth of talent to compete against the best hurlers from other counties. The team still however fancy their chances and this Saturday will answer that.
All support to cheer on the boys is most very welcome in what will be a rare chance to see so many talented hurlers from counties across two provinces compete in our very own back garden in Ballyshannon. All the best to players and management.
The panel is:
Anthony Horgan St. Eunans
Brendan Gillespie Aodh Ruadh
Cathal Doherty Carndonagh
Chris Gallagher MacCools
Ciaran Daly Aodh Ruadh
Conor Kelly St. Eunans
Daniel Deery Buncrana
Darren Fitzpatrick Buncrana
David Doherty Buncrana
Declan McCarron Buncrana
Des Kenny St. Eunans
James Doherty Buncrana
James Monagle Carndonagh
Jamie De Ward MacCools
Kevin Kealy St. Eunans
Kevin Vaughan Buncrana
Macaulay Carr Buncrana
Matthew Doherty MacCools
Matty Porter Buncrana
Michael Doherty Carndonagh
Oisin Rooney Aodh Ruadh
Patrick Wilson Buncrana
Paul Doherty MacCools
Rory Quinn Letterkenny Gaels
Sean Harkin Burt
Sean Tourish St. Eunans
MAnagement Team: Gerry Vaughan, Buncrana, John Joe Doherty Carndonagh, Lorcan O’ Toole, Four Masters
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