Donegal under-21 manager Declan Bonner has stressed that he is 'totally opposed' to the suggestion that the under-21 championship be axed.

Last week, Croke Park Director General Paraic Duffy published a report stating that the under-21 grade should be abolished in order to help with player burn out.

However, Bonner who admitted that the issue of player burn out needed to be addressed stressed that getting rid of the under-21 championship was not the way to go.

"I am totally opposed to its going as it is a very good competition and is the ideal way for players to make the transition from minor to senior football.

"But it is very difficult to get a solution. Some under-21 players are involved in the Dr McKenna Cup, National Football League, Freshers and Sigerson competitions in a very crowded time of year. But it might help if they were excused from playing in the national league at least until the under-21 competition is over.

"I know senior managers want to get a look at players but they can see them in other competitions and it is a very long season.

"I can see where Paraic Duffy is coming from and there is a major issue of player burn out."

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