BY RYAN FERRY
BONAGEE United Youth team are on the trail of more silverware this evening when they take on Kilmacrennan Celtic in the Colin Breslin Cup Final at Diamond Park, Ballyare at 7.30pm.
Gary McCroary’s Bonagee have already won the Dick Duffy Memorial League and now they want to add more silverware to their collection.
“We would love to win the double,” McCroary told the Donegal News.
“It’s been a good year for us so far and I couldn’t have asked any more of the boys. No matter what happens on Wednesday they have been exceptional for us.
“We sat down at the start of the year and set out our plans, and I said to them that we would have to keep progressing through the season, and thankfully they have given everything they have.”
Bonagee lost out against Keadue in the league but that was their only defeat so far this year, and they are a formidable side who defeated Ballybofey 3-2 in their semi-final.
“There were two groups and we were delighted to top ours.
“We played Kilmacrennan in the group, so we have got a good look at each other this year.
“We beat them 1-0 in the league at home, and then we drew 1-1 in the group and I expect the final to be another tight affair.
“They are a good tactical team and they will have a plan. They will probably look to stifle us and play on the counter attack. It will be a very exciting final.”
McCroary was at the helm for Bonagee last season when they won the John ‘Gorey’ Curran Cup but they also suffered the pain of defeat in the Colin Breslin Cup Final when they lost 2-1 against Drumkeen.
That serves as a reminder that if you don’t perform on the big day, then you can go home empty-handed.
“Finals are all about who handles the nerves better.
“We will probably go in as favourites because we won the league but anything can happen in a final with young lads.
“I just hope we can play to our ability and we won’t be far away then.
“Finals can be decided by a mistake or a moment of magic on any given day so we hope we can come out on the right side of it.”
Kilmacrennan had a mixed enough league but their season has really come alive in the cup competitions.
Shaun Sandilands is in charge of Kilmacrennan, and he says his team are formidable when everyone is available.
“We won our first game of the season against Letterkenny Rovers but then we were missing boys for a few matches with injuries and gaelic and everything.
“We lost three games in-a-row but I think we have only lost once since that and we’re on a good run now.
“Every game has been tight enough. It’s a real competitive league.
“We won 4-1 against Ballybofey last Wednesday but most games are usually 2-1 or 1-0 or a draw.
“When we have everyone there, we have a good squad of players.”
Kilmacrennan defeated Letterkenny Rovers on penalties in their Colin Breslin Cup semi-final.
Sandilands and his son John have worked hard with the group this season, and he would love to see a reward for their endeavours in the shape of some silverware.
“It’s going to be very tough for us.
“Bonagee have had a brilliant season winning the league and they will go in as favourites for sure.
“But it would be brilliant for our boys if we could win.
“John has come in this year to help me out and he’s getting on great with the boys. He has his own ideas on coaching and everything and the team are working very well with him.
“For the boys and for John, it would be great if we could get over the line.”
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