Bonagee United overcome Mulroy-Fanad to seal Donegal Youth League honours

Bonagee United completed a superb season in the Donegal Youth League as they captured the newly-unveiled Fionn McLaughlin Cup on Wednesday night.

At a drenching Diamond Park in Ballyare, goals by Fintan Hassan, Ryan Bradley and Caolan McGarrigle paved the way for the Aidan McLaughlin and Eamonn Cannon-managed Bonagee to land their fourth piece of silverware in 2025.

A goal by Caolin McElwaine just after the hour brought Mulroy-Fanad - who enjoyed long spells of pressure throughout - back into it after falling 2-0 behind, but McGarrigle wrapped up the win late in the night.

Bonagee took the lead on 15 minutes when Hassan, their captain, worked his way into the penalty area before firing home.

Thereafter, Mulroy-Fanad had some excellent chances with Johnny McAteer, having been played in by Shea Cannon, firing at Luke Doherty, the Bonagee goalkeeper.

Liam McLaughlin presents the Fionn McLaughlin trophy to Fintan Hassan of Bonagee United.

McGarrigle shot first time against a post after getting on the end of a probing cross, but Oisin McHugh riffled inches over from distance after finding himself in space at the other end.

Just before half-time, Doherty was forced to claw away a dangerously teasing cross by Shane Carr and Bonagee managed to block the follow-up.

Four minutes into the second half. Cormac Dunleavy saw a free kick deflect wide before McHugh’s rising effort had too much elevation from 25 yards.

In the 56th minute, the game swung in the space of a minute from end-to-end.

First, the stretching McAteer connected to a hopeful ball forward and his attempt beat Doherty only to fly wide of the far post.

Bonagee broke with intent and Bradley got in behind to tuck home his side’s second goal.

Bradley was denied moments later by the post while Dylan Roulston saved well from the same player, who was fed by Hassan.

Mulroy-Fanad were right back into it when McElwaine rose to head home a Dunleavy free in the 65th minute.

Dunleavy and McAteer flashed efforts narrowly off-target as Mulroy-Fanad went in search of an equaliser.

They thought they had it when Kai Corcoran raced through and found the bottom corner only for an offside flag to cut short the celebrations.

For good measure, McGarrigle fired home Bonagee’s third of the night in added time to seal the deal and completed a quadruple, this silverware going now alongside the Kieran McGrath Cup, John ‘Gorey’ Curran Cup and Dick Duffy Youth League in the Dry Arch Park trophy cabinet.

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Bonagee United: Luke Doherty, Donal McBride, Fionn Chernick, Oisin Feeney, Mickey Kerr, Thomas McDevitt, Fintan Hassan, Blake Meridith, Ryan Bradley, Caolan McGarrigle, Shai Thompson. Subs: Noah Doherty, Zack Flanagan, Jack Dooher, Odhrán Ryan, Thomas Dooher, Daithi Reyes, Kian Fletcher. 

Mulroy-Fanad: Dylan Roulstone, Jack Dunleavy, Shane Carr, Darragh McElwaine, Shay Harkin, Caolin McElwaine, Cormac Dunleavy, Oisin McHugh, Shea Cannon, Johnny McAteer, Niall Toland. Subs: Ronan Lynch, Evan McDaid. Oisin Lynch, Cian McElwaine, Kai Corcoran, Killian Friel, Rory Gibbons.,

Referee: Ryan Carlin.