U20 captain Clarke is aiming high at club and county level

A RECORD-BREAKING rate of success at club level has highlighted the progress of Donaghmore in recent years.

The St Patrick’s have won underage titles by the proverbial barrow-full. Their talented players have also made their mark for Tyrone, and it’s fair to say that this week’s All-Ireland U-20 Final at the Athletic Grounds is a high-water mark for the club as Joey Clarke prepares to lead his county out against Louth.

It has been a remarkable period for the club’s golden generation. But, as the countdown to Wednesday’s decider against Louth reaches its climax, the Donaghmore contingent of Clarke, Noah Grimes and are preparing for another big final occasion.

“Being in the All-Ireland Final is what we’ve wanted since the start of this year. You’re always looking ahead and hoping to get this far, but there’s no way of thinking about that until you get out of Ulster. Thankfully we achieved that and are now in the final,” he said.

“ We know the quality that’s within this team and I don’t think we were putting any limit on the what we could achieve.It’s about taking things one game at a time. There’s eight or nine steps that we’ve taken to get to the final and we’ll be going out to make the most of this opportunity now.”

Wins over Armagh, Derry and Donegal in the Ulster Final marked a tough provincial campaign. Kerry were, of course, defeated by 2-14 to 0-14 in the All-Ireland semi-final, earning a place for the Red Hands in the final for the second year running and tenth occasion overall.

No wonder, then, that this is such a special period for both the players and management. This Wednesday’s novel clash against the Wee County represents the climax of a campaign which began in the wet, dark and cold of autumn 2024. But, once, the excitement eases after a defeat or victory, the focus will turn back to the club scene.

Clarke and his Donaghmore colleagues will be concentrating then on the important task of ensuring that Minor and U-20 success is translated into real progress for their club in the senior ranks.

“The competitive games that we’ve had so far this year in Ulster and then the All-Ireland semi-final have really brought us on big time,” he added.

“Those matches meant that we hit the ground running the last day against Kerry and brought us up to that Championship standard. You know you’re going out every week and being put up against it, but then that stands to you. For me it’s a privilege to be captain of this side, even though this is a team of leaders. Anyone of the 34 lads on the panel could be captain.

“There’s a lot of players who really push everyone else on. That means my role is as an equal to everyone else.

“I feel the fact that a few of us Donaghmore lads are now on the U-20s and other Tyrone teams is the dividend that’s coming from the work that the club has been doing over the past decade or more. It’s a real credit to everyone involved.

“Our coaches have been working from Under-6 up and what has been achieved so far is a credit to them.

“They have pushed us on to represent the club seniors now and it’s about keeping that momentum going and hopefully making progress at senior level as well. The U-20s is the most important thing for us now, but when this season with Tyrone is over everybody goes back to their clubs.

“I love playing with Tyrone at the moment, and I also can’t wait to get back to the club. I was at the training recently and everyone was pushing on and we hope to add to that when we go back in after the U-20s.”