Donegal Under-16 manager Luke Barrett is expecting a ‘massive challenge’ from Derry in Saturday’s Buncrana Cup final.
Barrett’s Donegal are aiming to retain the title won by the Rory Kavanagh-managed Tir Chonaill in 2018 when they face Derry at The Scarvey (throw-in 12 noon).
After a fine win over Cavan at the weekend, Donegal are in fine fettle.
“We had 14 clubs represented in the first fifteen and a further four in the six clubs,” Barrett pointed out to Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“That’s a huge spread. It speaks volumes for the standard of football in Donegal. The development squads are working well too.
“It’s probably the first time a lot of them will have played in an Ulster final. That’s a massive honour.
“It’s a day they’ll be looking forward to and it’s one of the biggest games they’ll have played in to date.”
Traditionally, Derry have carved out strong teams at underage level – and Barrett expects this Oak Leaf team to be no different.
He said: “Derry won the under-15s quite comfortably last year. They’re a serious outfit with a lot of quality footballers. They’ll bring a massive challenge and we’ll have to be at our very best.”
Listen to the full interview below …