Michael Funston welcomes the pressure as he takes charge of Bonagee United

Michael Funston has taken on the role of manager at Bonagee United, and the boss is welcoming the pressure that comes with it.

It’s a first senior management position for the former Finn Harps legend, who steps in after Packie Mailey resigned.

Funston tore his ACL early last season, jumping for the header against Letterkenny Rovers, and while he got surgery almost eight weeks ago, he still stayed involved, helping Mailey out last season as the Dry Arch Park men finished second to the Leckview side.

“I felt a pop and tried to get up and play on, but I knew it was gone. I had to wait for a scan, but I knew deep down what I’d done.

“I did a lot of work pre-surgery, and anything I do now is to get back running and maybe get back playing, but I’m not too worried about that right now. I’m just glad to get the operation tidied up before the start of the season.

“But I’m on the right side of it now, it’s tedious exercises, but they’re necessary to try and get back at it.

“I stayed around to help (Mailey) as best as I could, he would have preferred to have me on the pitch, the same as myself, but that’s the way life goes.

“Packie did a really good job last yea,r and we weren’t too far away off what we wanted to do with what was almost a brand new squad.

“Everybody wants to win so we were disappointed, but when you stand back and reflect, you can see it was a good season to finish second.”

Once the job became available as Mailey stepped away, it wasn’t an instant thought of Funston’s to take on the role, but with the belief he had in the squad, he was keen to give it a go.

Michael McHugh and Damien McClafferty are in as assistants, while Kyle Maloney and John Roulston are also coaching.

“It was something that I sat down and spoke to Jason (Gibson), Niall (Callaghan), and some of the senior players, and we talked about what direction we wanted to go in because Packie brought such professionalism and standards.

“Then I was looking at the squad and I felt it wasn’t far away, and honestly, I was probably a bit selfish because I didn’t want anyone else to take this squad.

“I do feel this squad is two or three players away from where we wanted to be, and I said I’d take the job.

“I love football and I have a lot to learn, but I’m willing to do so. Mistakes will be made, and you have to do that to learn.

“I don’t have all the answers or even the questions, but I’m prepared to learn and make mistakes.

“I invite the pressure, whether as a player against Shamrock Rovers or Cobh Ramblers, no disrespect to them, but I always believed if you stick to the task and the game plan, then you should get something out of the game.

“If you don’t want the pressure, then you’re in the wrong environment, and I’ve said that to the players. We expect a standard and we aren’t scared to lose. The pressure is what makes you feel alive.”

Funston has added to the squad so far, with Ciaran Kelly coming in from Swilly Rovers and Josh Maxwell coming from St Catherine’s.

Funston’s former Harps teammate Tommy McMonagle has joined from Aileach, and they also snapped up Lagan Harps duo Ciaran Quinn and Codey Brogan.

READ NEXT: Donegal teen Oisin Cooney joins English Premier League club Burnley FC

“They are areas of the pitch where I feel we needed to strengthen, and we have done that.

“I feel we’ve added to where we were weak, and you’re never fully happy as a manager, but we still have time to bring players in.

“It’s never just 11 players, it’s at least 17/18 players if you want to be successful.”

And after a 6-1 win in their opener against a youthful Milford United, Bonagee will be away to the winners of Fanad United against Whitestrand United, who meet on Thursday night in Traigh-A-Loch.

“Hopefully, after training, I’ll get to watch it. Arthur (Lynch) has won the league with Fanad twice, and I’d imagine they’ll be really fit.

“Anyone going to Traigh-A-Loch meeting Fanad are up against it but I’m looking forward to it and on Sunday I’ll know where we’re at.”