Brennan hat-trick fires Bonagee United to Donegal Youth League title

Aidan Brennan scored a hat-trick as Bonagee United retained the Donegal Youth League title in style on Wednesday evening.

Bonagee United 5 Glen Rovers 1

Bonagee made it a perfect ten with their tenth win from ten games, a comprehensive home win over Glen Rovers ensuring that they keep hold of the Dick Duffy Memorial Cup.

Reuben Doherty set them on their way in the second minute with Brennan’s hat-trick supplemented by an own goal as the Dry Arch men took hold of their latest piece of silverware.

Senior players Dan O’Donnell and Sean Hume took charge of Bonagee following a treble-winning season in 2022 with most of that squad moving on in the off-season.

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Knowing that victory would secure the silverware, Bonagee started on the front foot and Fintan Hassan drilled wide after only 20 seconds.

It wasn’t long before Doherty was on the end of a chip into the area by Ultan McMonagle and his header opened the scoring.

McMonagle himself was a lick of paint from doubling the lead, but his excellent effort careered off the Glen Rovers crossbar.

Brennan was thwarted by Josh Wade soon after, but he was soon tucking home to get his evening off and running.

McMonagle riffled wide of the far post after weaving his way into position before Bonagee made it 3-0 when Brennan’s cross was turned in by an unfortunate Glen Rovers defender, under pressure from the in-rushing Kelvin Anderson.

Bonagee United captain Eoghan Doherty is presented with the Dick Duffy Memorial Cup by Tony Duffy.

Marc Casey headed wide early in the second half with Brennan twice going close.

On 65 minutes, Brennan steered home from Kayden McAleer’s corner, but gallant Glen Rovers kept battling and got their reward when Oran Clarke finished after approach work by Adam Fitzpatrick created the opening.

On 74 minutes, it was game, set and match for Bonagee when Brennan finished to the bottom corner past the advancing Wade.

Bonagee United: John Quinn, Aaron Bonnar, Ricky Guttrip, Michael Mulraine, Shay Hegarty, Fintan Hassan, Kelvin Anderson, Ultan McMonagle, Marc Casey, Reuban Doherty, Aiden Brennan, Eoghan Doherty, Bryan Drum, Conan Coyle, Shaun McGarrigle, Kayden McAleer, Dylan Devenney, Calum Crampsie.

Glen Rovers squad: Josh Wade, Jack Bond, Aaron McMorrow, Shane Doherty, Oran Clarke, Domhnall Lewis, Finley Bose, Sean O’Connor, Shae Donnelly, Adam Fitzpatrick, Neil McDaid, Oisin Martin, Jakub, Josh Geraghty, Oliver Perlinski.

Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.