Bonagee United kicked off their campaign in the newly formed FAI National League with a draw against Home Farm DCU, a former League of Ireland team until the turn of the century.
It was a late goal from the Dublin side that changed the outcome, and one that left a feeling of disappointment in the air for Gareth Harkin.
“We put so much into the game, we thought it was over,” he started.
“Tiredness, maybe a lack of concentration just cost us in the end, and that’s the fine margins of football.
“We were a goal behind, and I thought the response was great, we went a goal up, had them on the ropes and we had a couple of chances to kill the game.
“Disappointed overall, we feel we left three points behind, and at home, you want to get maximum points.”
It was a historic day for Declan Lynch’s side. In front of a bumper crowd on home soil, to line-up and see the achievements of everyone involved with the club, Harkin praised the immense work that had gone into making this day happen.
“Today was a momentous occasion, bringing senior football to Letterkenny,” he said.
“We were the only Donegal team at home and luckily, we got a big crowd out.
“It was a great day for Bonagee, the committee members, club members, everyone has done a lot and made this day what it was and I hope they go away with something.
“Look at the scoreboard, the pitch, the jerseys, we can’t fault them, they’ve put in so much work and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“It’s really appreciated, those extra percentages that help us and hopefully we can repay them on the pitch.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the three points today, but hopefully we did them proud, we feel like we did, but it’s bittersweet at the moment.”
Bonagee United will have a two week break before their next game in Group One. Lucan United, another side from Dublin, will be the opposition on that day, and Harkin noted that the break between these two games could be beneficial.
“We’ll use these two weeks properly,” he said.
“We have a few tired limbs out there, a couple maybe carrying a knock, but that’s football.
“We’ll hopefully get them patched up. Today was a tough game, both sides wanted to play and it made it a good spectacle.
“We’re at home in the next match against Lucan United, which will be another difficult task, but it’ll be another massive occasion.
“We’ll hopefully get the same crowd out again and go one better next time.”