Under-19s prepare for q/f after year of progress

Our Under-19 team face Shamrock Rovers this Sunday at Tallaght Stadium in the SSE Airtricity League Under-19 quarter-final.

The Bit O’Red left it late in Derry last week to ensure qualification for the last eight.

Rovers needed a win and also needed northwest neighbours Finn Harps to drop points away to Bohemians.

As it turned out, going into the last few minutes in both games, it looked as if the Ballybofey men had done their job.

Rovers were level at 2-2 and Harps were ahead in Dublin. However, all was not lost.

A short time after Jack Hever scored a stoppage time winner for Brian Dorrian’s under 19’s, Bohs levelled late on to swing things our way, much to the delight of Dorrian, who speaks about his side’s chances this Sunday:

“We know it will be a tough game. Obviously, one of our toughest this season so far.

“The lads dug really deep last week against Derry and finally we got the crucial late goal to take us into the quarter-finals”

It has been a good year for our under 19 squad with six players featuring in the first team, with John Mahon and Jack Keaney becoming regulars,

Edward McGinty made his full debut recently against Waterford FC as well as debuts for Liam Kerrigan, Niall Morahan & Darren Collins.

Luke McNicholas is also part of the first team squad, something Dorrian is certainly pleased with.

“That’s what they’re here for. If you play well at underage level, especially Under-19 you get your chance. That’s what Gerard has told them, and that’s what has happened. In fairness to the manager, he has had no problems throwing them in, and when they have played, they’ve been excellent. We will miss some of those lads on Sunday but fingers crossed they’ll play for the first team Saturday night instead.

“We will go there with nothing to lose and see where it takes us”

The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, with updates via our Facebook and Twitter.