Fermanagh GAA getting set to make Declan Bonner approach

Fermanagh GAA have made Declan Bonner their number one target to replace Kieran Donnelly as senior football team boss.

Donnelly stepped away earlier this week after five years in the Erne hot seat. In that same timeframe, he led Fermanagh to the Tailteann Cup semi-final this season where they were eliminated by eventual champions Kildare on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-9.

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They finished fourth in Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League while their Ulster SFC campaign ended at the first hurdle as Down disposed of them in the quarter-final.

Fermanagh had really put it up to the Mourne men in a 0-23 to 2-19 shootout. Having led 0-21 to 0-14 eight minutes from time, Conor Laverty’s charges fought back to turn the tie on its head late on.

Bonner previously bossed his native Donegal, taking up the reins once again back in 2018 for a second spell.

The 1992 All-Ireland winner led the side to back-to-back Ulster titles in his first two years but Donegal just couldn’t make inroads in the All-Ireland series across a five-year spell.

He eventually stepped aside in 2022 after an Ulster final loss to Derry was followed up by All-Ireland elimination at the hands of Armagh.

He’d lead his native Na Rossa to a memorable Junior A championship success in 2023 before taking up the baton in Belleek with Erne Gaels.

He helped them to the Fermanagh SFC title for the first time since 1981, ending a 43-year drought for the club.

Gaels suffered a bizarre league final loss to Derrygonnelly at the weekend with Bonner admitting he was baffled by two late and controversial refereeing calls.

With just three minutes to play, Bonner’s Erne Gaels led 0-15 to 0-13, and looked set to edge it. 

But controversy followed when Derrygonnelly’s Jarlath Flanagan struck a score from inside the 40m arc, which was mistakenly awarded as a two-pointer.

That decision brought the sides level but, in the dying stages, former Fermanagh player Stephen McGullion landed the winning point for Derrygonnelly.

Again, video evidence clearly shows that it should have been a one-point score but it was again marked down as a two-point effort.

Speaking afterwards, Bonner admitted his side would quickly turn their focus to the upcoming championship, but he could not hide his disbelief at how the closing stages were handled.

“Fair play to Derrygonnelly, they showed great heart and character to come back so well. For us it’s over and it’s done.

“But it beggars belief, that a referee and seven other officials could not spot what everyone else in the ground could see.

“It was clear that the last two points were not taken from outside the 40-metre arc. There were enough officials and how they got it wrong is just baffling.

“We have a championship coming up in two weeks’ time and that is where our focus is at the minute. It is disappointing as it could have been a draw, but that is irrelevant. There were mistakes made and it certainly should not be happening at this level.

“But it did happen, and we all could see the infringements were well inside the arc and that is the frustrating thing.”

Bonner will likely concentrate on helping Gaels retain their Fermanagh SFC title and then it very much appears like he’ll have a decision to make as the Fermanagh county board get set to line their number one choice up.