Manager Declan Bonner is hoping three years of hard work will pay off for his Donegal minor team.

A first ever Tom Markham Cup final appearance is what's at stake for Donegal when they face Dublin in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Croke Park. And for 1992 All-Ireland winner Bonner, that would be just reward for his efforts with this group of players since they were U16.

"This journey started with these lads about three years ago," he noted in the Irish News.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this group and we have already set out our goals in three stages. Winning the Ulster minor league was the first start, winning the Ulster championship was the second stage, and now this is the ultimate.

"But it is a challenge that we are really looking forward to and the lads are in a really good place."

Bonner is under no illusions about the task facing his team after they drew with Dublin in a challenge match earlier this year.

"It was a very good match that ended in a draw. But we know that we are capable of beating Dublin if we can produce the performance we are capable of," he added.

"Going into Croke Park is a really big event in these lads' lives. We got a look at the pitch before the Donegal and Armagh (senior) match and the lads have worked really hard to do themselves justice on this great venue."

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