DONEGAL manager Rory Gallagher has added 12 new apostles to his squad for the upcoming season.
The new players on the squad are Danny Rodgers (Dungloe), Stephen McMenamin (Red Hugh's), Kieran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair), Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair), Eoin Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), Stephen McBrearty (Kilcar), Caolan McGonigle (Buncrana), Jack O'Brien (Naomh Muire), Tony McClenaghan (Moville), Rory Carr (St Eunan's) and Caolan Ward (St Eunan's). With the exception of Ward, all of the above are in the 19-20 age bracket.
Gallagher was obviously highly impressed with Declan Bonner's minor side that reached the All-Ireland final last year as seven of them have been moved up the ranks while still U21. And he has gone for some extra physical power from keeper Danny Rodgers, Michael Carroll, Caolan McGonigle, Stephen McMenamin, Kieran Gillespie and Tony McClenaghan.
The other good news for Donegal is that all of the senior members are determined to give it another year after the disappointing defeat to Monaghan in the Ulster final. Gallagher and the new squad have already had a few meetings and he has a few challenge matches lined up next month ahead of the start for the Dr McKenna Cup in early January.
Gallagher said: "There is a lot of talent in these fellows and we had seen them perform in the minors last year.
"Quite a few of them are pretty well developed physically, which is always a good help for when you make the step up to senior level. With the exception of Caolan Ward, they are all pretty much U21, but when there is quality, then you just have to go out and nurture it".
Gallagher is aware of the wounds inflicted by the defeat to Monaghan earlier this year, but insists this memory has now been "parked".
"Look, we are looking forward to the new season and all of the more senior players are looking forward to it also, which is good news. We are delighted to have them on board and they still have a lot of quality."
Gallagher added: "These lads will be given their chance to prove themselves over the next few months in challenge matches and in the Dr McKenna Cup.
"Last year's minor team almost took an All-Ireland title, so we are getting quite a bit of quality coming through."
There has been strong speculation about the future of the U21 competition, but Gallagher is strongly in favour of its retention: "There is a lot of talk about player burnout, but many young lads enjoy playing a few games in a week and the number that are really affected are a tiny minority," he said.
"And the U21 competition is a great bridge from minor to senior and we just can't afford to lose that. Players are also training a lot more sensibly these days, so it is not as big an issue as some may think".
Unsurprisingly he is not in favour of not playing U21 players in the NFL: "I don't think it makes a terrible difference, but if some colleges competitions were run off by Christmas, it might help."
Donegal's opening NFL match is away against Down on January 30. But Gallagher's men have a much more favourable championship draw for the first time in quite a few seasons.
Donegal are looking forward to meeting the winners of Fermanagh and Antrim, with Monaghan lurking in the semi-final should they advance. And they will not be in action until June 12, which gives a lot more time for preparation. Last year, Donegal had to tackle Tyrone, Armagh and Derry before getting to the Ulster final.
It will be an interesting day if Gallagher's native Fermanagh prevail, as the Tír Conaill boss scored one of the greatest goals ever seen in Ballybofey when the 14-man Erne siders defeated Donegal in the Ulster Championship in 2000. Gallagher lined out for Fermanagh as recently as 2010, but he is almost a naturalised Donegal man at this stage.
One thing is for sure. Donegal could have at the very least one or two fresh faces when the pitches harden in early summer.
