The Donegal U12 Schoolboys make the long journey south to Tipperary this weekend to lock horns with the Waterford Schoolboys team in their search for All-Ireland glory.
They will try and make history on Sunday by becoming the first team from the county to lift a national title at this level.
The squad under the management team of Kevin McHugh, James Doherty, Mel O’Donnell and Andrew Wilson will depart on Saturday afternoon and stay in Clonmel that night in preparation for Sundays final.
The final will take place in Cahir Park, Cahir, Tipperary on Sunday @ 3pm.
The squad met up for their final training session in Ballyare on Saturday.
They go into Sunday’s final with no injury worries and a full squad of 26 to choose from. Donegal have endured a tough route to the final.
They travelled to Cavan for the Ulster/North Connacht quaifiying blitz that was played over a weekend in February.
In their first game they drew 2-2 with the Sligo/Leitrim league after blowing a two goal lead.
Next up was the Cavan/Monaghan league who they defeated by 4-1.
Sunday saw them play a local derby against their Inishowen counterparts and they won comfortably on a scoreline of 6-0.
When the final standings were compiled, they were level on points and goal difference with the Sligo/Leitrim league.
This resulted in a play-off and it was the Sligo/Leitrim who got home advantage.
This match was played in the Sligo IT facilities and it was the Donegal schoolboys who prevailed on a 2-1 scoreline to set up a last eight clah with the Mayo league.
Home advantage saw the quarter final clash take place on a scorching hot day in April in Leckview Park, Letterkenny.
Once again the Donegal lads showed their class to book a semi final spot on a 3-1 scoreline.
The last four of the competition saw the lads having to travel to Dublin to play the SDFL league.
In horrible weather conditions in Lucan, the lads took an early lead in the first half only for the SDFL to equalise from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
This saw the game taken to extra time and once again the Donegal lads dug deep to seal a final spot on a scoreline of 3-1.
Their opponents on Sunday, the Waterford Schoolboys have come through their side of the draw unbeaten also so it makes for an intriguing final on Sunday as both teams look to take the Jim Cashin cup back to their respective counties.
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