'Retention of these players is so important': Dan O'Donnell

Ahead of his wedding this Saturday, Dan O’Donnell got an extra piece of silver to polish on Wednesday evening after his Bonagee United side were crowned Donegal Youth League champions.

On Saturday, O’Donnell gets married to his fiancée, Emer McDaid.

A big week was given an added bonus when Bonagee defeated Glen Rovers to secure the prize, giving O’Donnell the perfect beginning to managerial life.

“I was just telling the boys that League titles are very hard won and they might never win one again so they should savour it,” he said. “It’s great to get over the line.”

Bonagee won the Donegal Youth League for the first time in 2022. With almost an entirely new squad, O’Donnell - aided by his Bonagee United senior team-mate Sean Hume - and company retained the title.

Brennan hat-trick fires Bonagee United to Donegal Youth League title

Aiden Brennan scored three times as Bonagee United defeated Glen Rovers to retain the Donegal Youth League crown on Wednesday evening

He said: “The aim was to be competitive. We knew that Letterkenny Rovers would be very strong and Ballyraine have kept their team since under-12s.

“When we saw the appetite these lads had for training and to take in information, they applied themselves brilliantly and the results kept coming.

“We didn’t have to go chasing boys to train or play. That age bracket of 16, 17, 18 can be difficult, but we have a big squad and maybe that made boys realise that they had to train.

“They knew that if they didn’t train they wouldn’t make the match day squad, let alone the team. That really pushed us on and everyone bought into it.”

Captain Eoghan Doherty was one of the few remaining from last year’s squad.

Aidan Brennan’s hat-trick on Wednesday helped Bonagee to a 5-1 home win at Dry Arch Park with an own goal and Reuben Doherty also registering.

O’Donnell said: “I’ve really enjoyed it and it wouldn’t have been possible only for Sean coming on board. There were games where Sean really pushed us over the line. He made a massive difference and was a huge influence on the boys. It was brilliant to have him on board.”

Following the demise of the Ulster Senior League, Bonagee will have two adult teams in the Donegal Junior League: in Division One of the Sunday League and another in the Saturday League.

O’Donnell has challenged his young charges to put their hands up for inclusion.

He said: “Retention of these players now is so important. We’ve done our best to develop them and now it’s about those players pushing on now for the senior teams. That’s the idea of youth football. The lads here are brilliant and they will want to kick on.”