Snow hopes Bonner can give Fermanagh “a bounce”

By Shaun Casey

FORMER Fermanagh goalkeeper Chris Snow hopes that the appointment of Declan Bonner as the new manager of the Erne County can provide them with “a bit of a bounce” heading into the 2026 season.

The ex-Donegal player and manager took over from Kieran Donnelly who served as Fermanagh boss for four years. Bonner brings a wealth of experience with him and a fresh approach could do Fermanagh the world of good.

Bonner has been in charge of Erne Gaels for the last three years and last season he guided the club to a first Senior Championship since 1981. They still have their eyes on retaining the title, with their final replay against Derrygonnelly set to take place on Saturday evening.

Fermanagh begin the 2026 season in Division Three and Snow believes that promotion in the league is an achievable goal for Bonner in his first year in charge.

“It’s a fresh slate for everybody coming in and hopefully everybody that is there, it’ll give them a bit of a bounce. Kieran did a great job these past few years with the squad that was there,” said the Ederney shot-stopper.

“They were very unlucky not to stay up in Division Two, two years ago. It was actually a game in Ederney when they were well up against Cork and just didn’t see it out and I would believe if they’d have won that day, they would have stayed up in Division Two.

“It’s nearly easier to stay up in Division Two than it is to get out of Division Three at times because you have to be on it every week in Division Three to get back out of it.

“In Division Two, you could have the odd off day and still pick up enough points to stay up. But Division Three and Division Four are the same, they’re ruthless.

“With Declan coming in, hopefully it’ll give them boys a bit of impetus and a bit of freshness. He’s had success with Donegal and with Belleek so he has a good insight into Fermanagh football, so hopefully the boys get behind him, and they can push on.”