Donegal manager Declan Bonner, left, and assistant manager Paul McGonigle. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
DECLAN BONNER will look to collect the first piece of silverware from his second tenure in charge of Donegal, when he brings his side to the Athletic Grounds on Saturday to take on Tyrone in the Dr McKenna Cup Final.
Donegal haven’t always placed a lot of emphasis on the pre-season competition and are appearing in their first final since 2010.
While there will be bigger prizes at stake, Bonner says they will be going to Armagh looking to get their hands on the trophy.
He said: “There are only four competitions that you can win – the McKenna Cup, the League, the Ulster Championship, and the All-Ireland Championship.
“We’re in the final of one of those now this weekend and we will be looking to win.
“The McKenna Cup has served us well this year, and we’d like to finish it off by winning it.
“We’re looking for a good performance and hopefully that will be enough for us.
“Mickey Harte will be looking at it in the exact same way, so I think we’re in for a good competitive McKenna Cup Final on Saturday night.
There will be a return of some familiar faces this week with Frank McGlynn and Martin McElhinney set to feature for the first time this season.
St Eunan’s corner-back Conor Morrison is also in line to play after struggling with concussion earlier in the season, while the likes of Ciaran McGinley and Kevin McBrearty will get game time.
Bonner wouldn’t divulge names but said that he will rest some of his senior players that have featured regularly over the last few weeks, but confirmed that former Finn Harps, Derry City, and Sligo Rovers goalkeeper, Shaun Patton will play in goals.
“Frank and Martin have been back in training for the last number of weeks, and they are ready to go.
“There will be opportunities for other lads that haven’t played as much as they would like, to show what they can do.”
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