DONEGAL UNDER-21 manager Declan Bonner says Donegal football is in an ‘important period’ now and has urged the emerging crop of players to go to ‘the next level’.
Bonner has been heavily involved in Donegal’s underage success in recent years, winning Ulster titles at minor, under-17 and under-16 level and reaching the All-Ireland minor final in 2014.
With Colm McFadden and Eamon McGee already having confirmed their retirements from the senior squad and with more expected to follow suit, Rory Gallagher will have to call upon those players who have gone up through the ranks under Bonner.
“I think we have a lot of good young players to come in,” he said on this week’s Donegal Sport Hub podcast.
“There will probably be more men retiring.
“It’s an important period for Donegal; not just next season, but the next couple of seasons and this transition. Donegal are still capable of being competitive, at least at Ulster level.”
However, Bonner – an All-Ireland winner in 1992 who also had a spell as Donegal senior manager – has urged a word of caution.
He said: “I think there are a lot of players who are capable out there, but they have to take it to the next level. The onus is on the players. Senior inter-county football is a different animal.
[adrotate group=”82″]“Just because you were a good player at minor or under-21 level does not mean you’ll be a star at senior level. It takes commitment and hard work and you must buy into a lot of things.”
Listen to the full podcast, which centres mainly on the Donegal SFC quarter-final draw, below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/donegal-sport-hub-podcast-37-donegal-club-championship-quarter-final-draw
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