Bonagee United all set to take on the might of Duff and Shelbourne

The newspaper cuttings of match reports which hang on the wall of Bonagee United’s clubrooms beside team photos from seasons gone provide a window to a proud past.
And on Friday night, another little piece of history will be written as Bonagee United host Shelbourne in the Extra.ie FAI Senior Cup second round (kick-off 8pm).
There have been some fine players who have pulled on the jersey of Bonagee United, Arcade and Lurgybrack schoolboys down through the years. And many of them will be among the big crowd who will gather at Dry Arch Park on Friday night for what will be another special evening for everyone associated with the club.
FAI Cup fever is taking a grip, and Bonagee United players, supporters, committee members and club volunteers are lapping it up.
Ever since they were paired with Damien Duff’s Shelbourne when the draw for the second round was made a few weeks ago, Bonagee United have been counting down the days to Friday night.

Glenswilly, St Michael’s and Aodh Ruadh the dark horses - Kevin Mulhern

As he continues his comeback from injury, Kevin Mulhern of Cloughaneely looks at the eight Donegal SFC fixtures taking place this weekend

The Letterkenny side may have eased past the challenge of Pike Rovers with a 6-0 win in the first round, but few expect Bonagee to cause the Premier Division team too many problems tomorrow night.
However, Jason Gibson and his team have other ideas.
“You have to believe, if we didn’t there’s no point in us going out otherwise,” the Bonagee manager said.
“There have been shocks in cups before. We know the task, we know they are a cracking side. We know their strengths but we have to go out with the right attitude and we’ll have our game plan. We’ll stick to it and see where it takes us.”
Gibson will unfortunately be without the experienced Gareth Breslin who missed the Pike Rovers tie because of an ankle injury and still hasn’t fully recovered.

Michael Funston will have a key role to play for Bonagee on Friday night PIC: THOMAS GALLAGHER

On the plus side, the talented Darragh Ellison is available again, and will add quality down Bonagee’s left.
Bonagee will naturally look for Tony McNamee, Michael Funston and Gareth Harkin to guide the younger players through what will be a big occasion.
“Throughout the team, they are all capable footballers,” Gibson said.
“As a footballer, you always want to test yourself against the best. I think our boys might feed off the big crowd that’s in on Friday night and put in a performance.”
Gibson will also find himself trying to outwit Damien Duff on the sideline, although that’s not something he appears too fazed about.
“It’s not something I have given an awful lot of thought to,” he said.
“We just look at the opposition and we prepare the best we can. It’s great for the spectacle of the occasion that Damien Duff is coming but whoever is in the opposition dug-out, I just have to concentrate on my job and get our boys prepared as best we can.”

Sports coaches in Donegal invited to take part in regional coaching conference

I COACH KIDS regional conference taking place in Letterkenny on Thursday, September 1

Given the number of Premier Division sides who exited the competition after the first round, Shelbourne will see a game against non-league opposition as a chance to make real progress in the cup.
They will include Donegal man Mark Coyle in their squad and he’s likely to feature in a team that’s been in good form of late. Shels easily disposed of Bray Wanderers 3-0 at the Carlisle Grounds in the last round, and will be firm favourites to advance.
Whatever way the tie goes, Gibson said his players, and perhaps more importantly, the club’s many volunteers, fully deserve their night in the spotlight.
“It’s just brilliant,” he said. “We’ll have a big crowd through the gate, the cameras will be here. I’m just delighted for everyone who has worked so hard for this club over so many years.”