Bonner reflects on ‘brilliant journey’ as Donegal boss

By Ryan Ferry

THE Donegal senior footballers will have a new bainisteoir next year after Declan Bonner stepped down from the role yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Bonner addressed club delegates at a County Committee meeting and confirmed that he will not be continuing in the position.

The Na Rossa clubman informed the players and the backroom team of his decision on Monday.

Bonner took on the senior reins in 2017, and led Donegal to Ulster titles in 2018 and 2019. However, they lost two more provincial deciders, and weren’t able to make the dent they desired nationally.

The team lost to Derry and Armagh in this year’s championship, and Bonner didn’t speak to the media after the loss against the Orchard county.

However, after a period of consideration, he has decided that he will not be continuing in the role.

“People might be wondering why it took so long to make the call and the truth is that I had my decision made fairly quickly after the Armagh game,” said Bonner.

“But it was important to me that I was able to speak to all the key stakeholders before I said anything. I wanted to let the dust settle and speak to the players, the management team, and the County Board. They have given huge commitment to me over the last few years.

“It has been a brilliant journey for me. I started off with an Under 16 team back in 2012 and had some of those players for ten years up through minors, Under 21s and seniors.

“It has been an enjoyable five years for me and the senior group. There were ups and downs of course. I’d say nobody really gets to walk away in the way they would like, apart from maybe Jim Gavin.

“But for me, it was an absolute honour to manage the county team.”

Bonner completed a four-year term last season, and then opted to re-apply for the post and his was the only name put forward. The 1992 All-Ireland winner was granted a two year extension.

He shipped plenty of criticism from supporters this year for their results and style of play.

He stood over the tactics used in the Ulster Final but admits that there was frustration that the team didn’t hit their highest performance levels regularly enough.

“I don’t think we quite got the consistency we needed this year. Even going back to the McKenna Cup final when we were very slow out of the blocks against Monaghan.

“We played very well against Mayo in our first league match but couldn’t hold on for the win.

“We did well to stay up in Division 1, and had good wins over Armagh and Cavan.

“We had watched Derry beat Tyrone and Monaghan, and set up in a way to try and mirror them. I’ll make no excuses about that. I still think it was the right approach.

“We were two points up in that game in the second half and it was a major disappointment that we didn’t kick on.

“The history books show that it is difficult for teams after they lose provincial finals when they go into the qualifiers, and we just didn’t perform for the seventy minutes against Armagh.”

Donegal will now have to find a new manager, and it will be interesting to see what direction they go.

Bonner says it is a time-consuming role but believes the right ingredients are there for his successor.

“The journey ends for me but for a lot of the players there’s still a distance to go, and I’m hopeful over the next few years that they will fulfill their potential.

“Hopefully the County Board can get the right person to come in now and take the team forward.

“It is a time consuming role, and you’re embedded in it 24/7. You have to be obsessed by it.

“But we have a good group of players there who will give their all, and it’s a great opportunity for someone.

“I have enjoyed my time but it’s time to move on and I look forward to going back on the terraces and supporting the team in Clones, Ballybofey, and elsewhere.”