McCroary hopes first Youth League title acts as a spur for Bonagee United

Gary McCroary says his Bonagee United youths will be hungry for more success after capturing the Donegal Youth League title.

A 7-0 win at Drumkeen United sealed a first ever Youth League crown for the Dry Arch Park club - and McCroary wants his men to maintain their bite now.

“Hopefully we will push on and keep winning now; we’ll be pushing to win everything,” he said.

“This was a great league, with 12 teams, which was great to see. We’ll be giving it everything when the cup competitions start.”

Josh Maxwell netted a hat-trick on Wednesday night at St Patrick’s Park with Caolan Fox scoring twice and a goal each from Josh Doherty and Conor Gallagher sealing the league crown.

Seventh heaven: Bonagee United secure first Donegal Youth League title

Bonagee scored a big win over Drumkeen United at St Patrick's Park to seal the silverware

That came a week after a 3-2 defeat by Keadue kept the celebrations on hold.

McCroary said: “I’m very proud of these lads. It has been a super season for us. We had a good start and we held the momentum most of the way through. I’m delighted that the players have got their rewards.

“The three-week break around the Leaving Cert didn’t help us. It broke the momentum and we had too much time to think about the next game.

“They came here with the right attitude and right spirit. We played some good football and the early goal was important. The last step is always the hardest, but we got the job done.”

Bonagee are riding a real crest of a wave at the moment. The club’s Ulster Senior League team won a Cup treble while the Donegal League side only lost in a play-off for the Premier Division title having won the Brian McCormick Cup.

McCroary said: “When you do anything first, it’s always special. It’s super to be a part of this club at the minute, especially with the investment in the underage side, with the boys and the girls.

“We’re trying hard to progress these lads and see them get the next step. They will have to be patient, but Jason (Gibson) and Damien (McClafferty) are brilliant and some of these boys will be stepping up to the senior teams.”