Latest news with #Roarty
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
‘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 The penalty was later rescinded after it was agreed the issue was 'an administrative error.'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.' Read More CCCC chief defends Donegal venue selection following criticism from Jim McGuinness 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.'
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I'm a teenage ace breaking through under Jim McGuinness for Donegal, I find self-belief is critical
DONEGAL'S Finnbarr Roarty is relishing his role as the rookie. The Naomh Conaill youngster made his Championship debut in his county's Advertisement 2 Tackling Bob Tuohy of Mayo with help from Ciaran Thompson 2 Donegal will welcome Louth to Ballybofey this Sunday Jim McGuinness trusted his youngest star to shine and Roarty has grabbed his chance with both hands. He shone again in Sunday's chaotic And Roarty says backing himself is the most important part as he gets to grips with senior inter-county football. He said of the Mayo clash: 'It is unbelievable — any time you think you're getting the hang of it, they throw a game like this at you. Advertisement Read More On GAA "Nothing can really prepare you for that, it's a Championship day, taking it all in. 'You have to back yourself. 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.' And he is not the only Donegal young gun showing huge maturity. Ciarán Moore is a little older than Roarty but, still only 22, it was his last-gasp winner that knocked Mayo out of the Championship. Roarty hailed his fellow novice for going for the win after the hooter, even though a draw would have made no difference to Donegal's final position of second in the group. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football He said: 'That's just the maturity in the group — he's 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. 'Everybody's running after him, he just took it in his stride and settled the game. Last play, some people just shoot it over the sideline but he backed himself, took the men on and got the score. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter 'We had the chances, they just didn't get put away, it's something we have to improve on.' Tyrone topped Group 1 to go straight to the last eight. They have this weekend off. For Donegal, finishing as runners-up will mean three games in two weeks if the Wee County are seen off. Advertisement Donegal have played seven Championship games already and their sole defeat to the Red Hands cost them a direct quarter-final spot. Roarty would love a breather but is more concerned with keeping his dream summer going as long as possible. He added: 'You'd like the break but you have to take it in your stride. 'It's going to be a tough run now but you have no choice. This is the position we're in, we're going to have to take it on the head and go full tilt at it.' Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Donegal starlet ready to go 'full tilt' as season enters business end
Finnbarr Roarty says that Donegal have to go 'full tilt' at it now as the games stack up and knockout football kicks in. A last-gasp win over Mayo on Sunday ensured that they finished second in Group 1, with Tyrone's head-to-head record against them seeing them top the group. It means that Donegal now face a preliminary quarter-final at home to Louth next weekend and, if they progress as expected, they will have a quarter-final a week later, all of which makes for a demanding schedule as the season reaches its climax. 'You'd like the break but you have to take it in your stride,' said Roarty. 'You've got yourself in this position so we have to go head on into this game now. 'It's going to be a tough run now, but you have no choice. We can't be being down on ourselves, this is the position we're in, we're going to have to take it on the head and go full tilt at it.' At just 19, Roarty is the youngest player on the Donegal team and he paid tribute to the one closest to him in age, Ciarán Moore, after he kicked the late winner to knock Mayo out of the Championship when a draw would have been sufficient for the Ulster champions. 'That's just the maturity in the group there - he's 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. Buzzer beater, everybody's running after him, he just took it in his stride. 'It settled the game there. Last play, some people just shoot it over the sideline but he backed himself, took the men on and got the score in the end.'
