‘A finer group you couldn’t ask to wear the crest, on and off the pitch’

Bonagee United ladies squad were accorded a civil reception on Thursday by the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.

The Dry Arch Park-based club have won back-to-back Donegal Women’s League and Cup doubles, having also reached the final of the Women’s FAI Amateur Cup.

“It is an absolute honour to stand here and accept this on behalf of the Bonagee United senior ladies,” manager Chris McNulty said at the reception.

“To be honoured by the elected representatives is perhaps the highest award that can be bestowed on a group or an individual and it should not be taken lightly by anyone involved. For the members here in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District to have deemed us worthy of honour is in itself a testament to the continued hard work and success.

“We come here this evening having won a second successive Donegal Women’s League and Cup double - the sixth pieces of silverware in five seasons won by the Bonagee United ladies. Reaching the final of the Women’s FAI Amateur Cup was a magical journey that none of us will ever forget. How it ended was not what we wanted, but the challenge now for the squad here lays in the bounce back.

“Councillor Donal Coyle was the club chairperson who put his trust in me, an untried manager at senior level in the winter of 2017 and I’ll be forever grateful for that leap of faith. A few days after my appointment, I met with Councillor Brogan and from that day to this, Ciaran, his management and staff at the Dry Arch Complex have been our loyal sponsors and have never been found wanting.

“These people, along with our other sponsors and supporters, have been with us in the bad days as well the good. It’s easy to hop on a bandwagon, but don’t ever forget those who are with you in the darker days.

"Bonagee United is going from strength to strength. I’m on record previously - and I’ll say it again - as saying that Bonagee United is the best football club in this county bar none.

“In recent years, club chair Niall Callaghan amalgamated the ladies and girls football set-up into the club - a move that has allowed the girls and ladies teams to thrive like never before. It’s just over ten years ago that a group of people - including Natalie and Julie who are still with us - formed the first Bonagee United ladies team.

“Now, from our underage academy right up through the ages, Bonagee United is fielding teams at all age groups. This season, our under-14s won a League and Cup double, a sign that the conveyor belt is rolling nicely. This year’s senior squad included five players who featured for the under-16s in 2022.

“It’s also important to note that the male section of the club is also thriving having won the Under-14 Champions League, the Donegal Youth League title this year and a Cup double in the Ulster Senior League last season.

“My final word is for these people, the players and the management team. A finer group you couldn’t ask to wear the crest, on and off the pitch, and to act as an ambassador for the club wherever they go. We go now into 2024 with a target on our back, but we must carry that as motivation for continued success and further improvement.”