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‘If you're doubting yourself, you shouldn't be in there' – Finnbarr Roarty and the modern boy wonders
Imagine this. Since making his championship debut against Derry last April, Finnbarr Roarty has started every game for Donegal. His point on Sunday brought his tally to 1-3. The boy wonder.
Famously, last year Jim McGuinness faced a ban for fielding Roarty in a McKenna Cup game. He was 17 years old at the time and turned 18 a day after they played Armagh.
The penalty was later rescinded after it was agreed the issue was 'an administrative error.'
Since then, the Naomh Conaill flyer has made the corner-back position his own.
At 19, he is the youngest member of the Ulster champions panel. Roarty was terrific against Mayo at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, looking like he belonged in a blockbuster championship fixture.
'It is unbelievable, any time you think you're getting the hang of it, they throw a game like this at you,' he said with a smile afterwards.
'Nothing can really prepare you for that. It's a Championship day, taking it all in.'
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Roarty is part of a new breed of bright prospects who have emerged this year. His team-mates Caolan McColgan and Ciarán Moore are both 22. Moore was nominated for 2024 PwC Young Footballer of the Year. Oisín Conaty, now 22, won it.
Darragh McMullen (21) has emerged as another half-forward option for the All-Ireland champions. Down goalkeeper Ronan Burns has had a sensational season, having turned 20 the day he took on Donegal in the Ulster semi-final.
Galway's Matthew Thompson (20) and Dublin's Theo Clancy (21) both started for their respective counties on Saturday. 20-year-old Conor Duke kicked 0-5 against Kerry as they secured a quarter-final spot.
Derry's season is at an end, but the defensive efforts of Eoin McEvoy (21) and Ruairi Forbes (19) last weekend offer hope for the future.
'You have to back yourself,' said Roarty. 'If you're doubting yourself, you shouldn't be in there. If you're on the ball you have to be trusted on it. Everybody. The 15 boys have to be good on the ball.'
In the Tailteann Cup, Leaving Cert student Cillian Bourke scored 1-3 in his last three games for Offaly. Longford's Matthew Carey, an U20, scored 0-15 in their final group game against Carlow.
As for Donegal, their youthful contingent are all contributing. The last-gasp winner after the hooter came from a booming kickout and a Moore burst.
'That is just the maturity in the group there. He is the second youngest player on that team, he was able to take the score like that, take on his man, take on nearly two men.
"A buzzer beater, everybody was running after him. He just took it in his stride.'
