Declan Bonner: 'O'Donnell and McColgan will be key in the Junior championship'

Former Donegal manager Declan Bonner knows all too well what it takes to edge through the stiff competition of the Junior Championship, it’s easier said than done.  

Bonner was in charge when his native Na Rossa journeyed to championship glory last season when they overcame Moville in the county final. He admits that it is far from an easy task to win the Junior championship, and this year will be no different as 11 teams battle it out over the next few weeks until one is left standing.  

“It’s like any championship, they’re never easily won for sure, but you’re looking at a lot of teams that pushed themselves all the way last year and have carried a lot of lessons into the league this season, and their league standings show how much they’ve improved,” Bonner admitted.  

In running the rule through the teams, league performances alone will point to a three-way battle in Group A between Division 3 league winners Carndonagh, the league finalists St Mary’s Convoy, and the unfortunate play-off losers Naomh Bríd.  

Stiff competition in Group A to say the least.  

“When you’re looking at Group A, you’re looking at teams like St Mary’s Convoy and Naomh Bríd, both who are looking to make their mark,” Bonner said. “St Mary’s were unlucky not to win Division 3 and then at the same time, it’ll be interesting to see can they push on from their championship semi-final defeat last season.  

“Naomh Bríd on the other hand, there were a lot of question marks over them after they got relegated from the Intermediate last season and when they fell to Division 3, and in fairness to them they were really competitive in their attempt of getting promotion but were just unfortunate to lose out to Cloughaneely on penalties.”  

But the side that Bonner feels will just edge them out is Carndonagh, largely due to the presence of one Conor O’Donnell.  

“Looking overall at the teams in this competition, you’d be looking at Carndonagh as favourites but it all depends on who they have available, especially Conor O’Donnell,” the former Donegal manager said.  

“Conor has had trouble with injuries over the last few years but there’s no doubt that he is the key man. When he is on the pitch you expect big things from him.   

“I had him with the seniors for maybe three or four years, he came in straight from minor, and was unfortunate to have done his ACL, but when you get him going, Carndonagh will be hard to stop.  

“As I said, it’ll be hard to say for sure who’ll edge that group but I think it’ll be between Carndonagh, St Mary’s, and Naomh Bríd.”  

With that three-way rivalry from those Division 3 teams, it leaves it as an exciting first few weeks in the Junior championship, but Bonner notes that one side coming in under the radar that shouldn’t be taken for granted is Naomh Padraig Muff, the only side in this competition that played Division 2 football this season.  

And even without the presence of Caolan McColgan during the league campaign, the men from Muff still produced some solid performances, drawing against top sides in that division like Four Masters, Milford, and Dungloe, with them finishing in ninth position overall.  

“I think in Group B, you’re looking at Naomh Padraig Muff who have a very young team, but like Conor O’Donnell and Carndonagh, Muff’s chances will really rest on the availability of Caolan McColgan and what he can do,” Bonner admitted.  

“Muff would be the side that will just edge it in that group mainly due to the fact that they are the only team that has played Division 2 this season and have really put it up to a lot of top senior clubs.  

“They weren’t just a team that were in Division 2 and happy to be there, they were really competing with the best in that league, and that will stand to them, and having Caolan McColgan back, who didn’t play any league games, that can only help them.  

“It’ll be interesting to see can Moville push one step further from losing the Junior final last season too, but I know they have lost a number of top players like Tony McClenaghan and Ciarán Diver who are hard to replace, but at the minute you’d be edging Naomh Padraig Muff and Moville from that group.”  

It’s a championship that will always throw up its fair share of surprises and no doubt this season’s campaign will be no different.