Donegal minors take on Kildare in Tier 2 All-Ireland semi-final this Saturday

Donegal minor footballers have an important date this Saturday when they take on Kildare in the Tier 2 All-Ireland semi-final in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones (3 pm)

Barry Ward’s side disposed of Sligo convincingly in Markievicz Park on Saturday last on a 1-14 to 0-7 scoreline. It was some compensation for their Ulster minor championship semi-final defeat to  Armagh a couple of weeks’ previously.

The side bounced back in style and are now preparing for a semi-final with the games coming week on week. Kildare defeated Galway in their quarter-final last weekend.

The other semi-final will be an all-Ulster affair with Tyrone and Cavan meeting, also in Clones at 1 pm

Donegal’s win on Saturday was pleasing for manager Ward. “It was good to get back going. Sligo had a game previously in Tier 2 so it would have settled them and we had a bit of baggage to get rid of from the Armagh game.

“It took us a while but once we got into it we put in a good performance on Saturday,” said Ward, who said that while Turlough Carr was back for the second half, he will not be available this weekend.

“Look, he is a massive loss. It’s disappointing for him as he was our best player. He was a big loss against Armagh and will be a big loss going forward but we have to look after him.

“Colm O Dochartaigh carried a bad injury into the Armagh and he didn’t play the last day. I don’t know if he will be fit or not for the weekend,” said Ward.

The manager said that they played Kildare in Kildare at the start of the year. “We played two 40 minute games and both teams were giving all their players a run. You can’t read that much into it,” said Ward, who said it is very difficult to gauge any team at minor because teams are winning by five points and then losing by five points.

“There was no consistency in minor results so it is hard to judge.”

Donegal will have everyone else available for Saturday and Ward saying they are looking forward to it. “It’s a development issue at the moment and trying to get as much learning into them as possible before the season is over. This is another game and there could be another game after that. Listen, no matter what level you are at you don't have many opportunities to play an All-Ireland semi-final. That’s what is there for us on Saturday,” said Ward.