Preliminary quarter-final still the aim for Killybegs - Pauric Bonner 

Pauric Bonner says Killybegs’ SFC ambitions remain the same despite two opening group stage losses. 

The Fishermen suffered defeat first day out away to St Michael’s and MacCumhaills took their scalp in Fintra on Saturday. 

However, when the dust settled there, Bonner’s men were the side in the ascendency and hunting down their Twin Town visitors. 

Having kicked three points on the bounce, Killybegs were just two off the coattails of MacCumhaills at 1-12 to 1-10 when the final whistle went. 

Truth be told, a poor first half return - where it took them the full half hour to register their first point - ultimately came back to haunt them. 

“The first-half killed us,” Bonner admitted. “Even against the breeze, we didn’t take the opportunities that came our way. We’d two goal chances and a few for points and, in the end, we’d left a seven-point gap at the midpoint. 

“We battled very well in the second-half but just left ourselves too much to do”.

Even then, Killybegs had a huge chance to strike level going into the last quarter when Jack McSharry weaved through on goal. 

Having done so much of the spade work, McSharry took on the responsibility himself when the cuter option might have been to slip possession to Ryan Cunningham just off his left shoulder. 

“That would have levelled it but those are the fine margins and that’s the learning you take from championship football". 

Killybegs must now wait to see what comes their way in the final two rounds of the group stage. Regardless, Bonner says the objective remains the same. 

“We’re not worried about relegation. There are two games to go. Let’s see what the draw brings. There is still a real chance to progress. It’s all positive. 

“If the ambition was to avoid relegation, I’d say our heads are in the wrong place. We just talked about it in there - that wasn’t a bad performance. It was night and day from St Michael’s. 

“We have a lot of lads out injured right now. Eoghan Ban Gallagher is getting there but Jon Ban and Cillian Gildea were also losses we felt. 

“So the aim will be to get them lads back as quickly as possible”.