‘Total faith’: Declan Bonner bats critics away ahead of do-or-die Armagh clash

Declan Bonner has shrugged off the critics and says he has ‘total faith’ in his Donegal side ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Armagh (St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, throw-in 4pm).

Donegal and Armagh are swigging in the Last Chance Saloon now. Second chances are no more.

Oisin Gallen remains an absentee, but Bonner has allayed further injury fears, insisting that there are no concerns over the fitness of captain Michael Murphy, following suggestions that the Glenswilly man was carrying a knock into the Ulster final.

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Donegal face Armagh on Sunday at St Tiernach's Park with an All-Ireland quarter-final spot up for grabs

After the 1-16 to 1-14 loss to Derry in Clones a fortnight ago, Donegal shipped a large swathe of criticism,

“Naturally enough, it was a hard defeat,” Bonner said.

“We felt that it was a game that there was never going to be more than a kick of a ball between the teams. That’s how it proved, no matter what anyone thinks about how Donegal should have played.

“A lot of people talk, but I don’t pay much interest. It doesn’t bother me one bit, to be honest.

“We just get on with it. The way the game has gone now and especially with the way football has played, unless you’re heavily involved, it doesn’t matter what you think really. That’s no reflection on anyone, but I just have no interest.

“The only people whose opinions matter are the people immediately close to me, the management team and the players.

“We have a massive game on Sunday. I have total trust and faith in the players.”

Donegal wriggled themselves into a leading position, 1-12 to 1-10, but Derry forced extra time before clinching a famous triumph.

Some sharp criticism was levelled Donegal’s way in the days afterwards.

“The reason we got two points up was how we had set up,” Bonner observed this week. “We felt that the biggest disappointment was that we were two points up and we just didn’t kick on.

“We have moved on fairly quickly from the Derry game. We’ve had to.”

After Andy McEntee stepped down as the Meath manager, his daughter, Aisling, hit out at ‘pathetic’ abuse levelled at her father.

“There are just some sad people out there with nothing better to do and people with too much time on their hands,” Bonner said. “I don’t go on social media much at all myself. Unfortunately, that’s the world we’re living in now.”

Armagh are on the crest of a wave having dumped Tyrone, the reigning All-Ireland champions, out of the race for Sam Maguire. A stirring 1-16 to 1-10 win at the Athletic Grounds served as a real warning to Donegal.

Bonner has called on Donegal’s support to get to Clones in big numbers.

“It’s important that Donegal people get there and get behind the lads.” Bonner said. “Rest assured, Armagh will be there in huge numbers. Hopefully the Donegal supporters respond and make themselves heard.”

After the Ulster final, Eoin Ban Gallagher, Peadar Mogan and Michael Langan were said to be nursing injuries, but Bonner said: “They’re okay. We have come through the last ten days fairly well and we should be fine.”