Glenfin intent on ending four-year title famine against Termon - Yvonne Bonner

Glenfin are back in another Donegal LGFA SFC final and chasing their first title win in four years when they face the reigning champions Termon in O’Donnell Park on Saturday. 

Bonner - a former All-Star with Donegal and an ex-AFLW player with the Adelaide Crows - skippers the Pairc Taoibhogie outfit and is keen to get back to winning ways on the biggest day in the LGFA domestic calender. 

“My last final was the 2022 one in O’Donnell Park,” she explained. “It went to extra-time before Termon won it on free kicks.

“I was in Australia for the 2023 final, which we lost again to Termon and I did not play at all last season after coming back from Australia. 

“The last championship I actually won was in Lifford and we beat Termon in that final too. As usual, it was another close game and I’ve no doubt that’s how it’ll turn out at the weekend once more”.

Glenfin, who are managed by Yvonne’s husband, Paul Bonner, have already claimed silverware following their Division One League final win over their Burn Road rivals. 

Bonner scored a goal and five points that afternoon in Ballyshannon and Daniel McGinley posted a goal and a point with Aibhe McGranaghan landing the other point in a 2-7 to 2-6 win.

The ladies from the Gaeltacht Lar have sailed through the championship to date, chalking up big wins over Naomh Muire, Lower Rosses, Naomh Conaill and St Naul’s in the group games.

And they eased into the final with eight points to spare over last year’s finalists Moville. 

Captain Bonner and Katy Herron scored the goals and also kicked two points each in the 2-12 to 1-7 win over Moville in the semi-final in Hibernian Park, Burt, the weekend before last.

Another former All-Star, Karen Guthrie, posted five points, while Danielle McGinle,y with two points and Aibhe McGranaghan with one, were the other semi-final scorers.   

In their four games so far, Glenfin have scored a whopping 20-50 and, at the same time, conceded just 3-24.

“We were missing a lot of players for one reason or another during the league and, as the season progressed, more and more players returned. 

“And really since the start of the championship, we’ve had everybody back and have been fielding strong teams. 

“The championship has gone well for us and we have been improving with every game. We have a good mix of youth and experience.

“Karen, Katy and myself are the experienced ones and both those girls are playing as well as ever.  We also have a good group of young players coming through.

“They have brought great freshness to the team and that’s what has encouraged us older players to play on. 

“It has been a long, tough season. We started back training at the beginning of February and we are now into October and still going. 

“Hopefully, all the hard work and efforts pay off in the final on Saturday because four years without winning a championship is a long time for Glenfin.”    

Ciaran Moy, Ciaran Brady and Ethan McGlynn are all part of Paul Bonner’s management team and Fionna Morrow is the team physio. 

Glenfin squad for final: Sharon Conaghan, Tara Martin, Annemarie Brady, Laura Martin; Brenda Carr, Katy Herron, Jamie Lee Mahon, Caoimhe McGlynn, Katie Long, Danielle McGinley, Abbie McGranaghan, Katie Ward, Karen Guthrie, Yvonne Bonner, Iona McDaid, Sinead Bonner, Aibhe Ward, Grainne Cullen, Caoimhe Browne, Anna Carr, Laura McKenna, Chloe O’Donnell, Jemma Bradley, Aibhe Meamy, Sile Martin, Lauren Carroll, Abigh McMenamin, Ciara Moy, Amy Doran, Sarah Monaghan, Sinead Doherty, Della Schultz.