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https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2022/07/20/news/bonner_informs_players_of_decision_to_step_down-2776979/

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 779 - 20/07/2022 12:50:41    2433113

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Well tonight is the night where we hear from the management, and i expect our current manager to step down.
I also expect the usual excuses, about media scrutiny, social media scrutiny and the disappointing support in the last two games.
But he has had two spells now and they have been relatively unsuccessful.
I dont actually blame Bonner, at the end of the day he is a Donegal gaa man, and its not his fault he lacks the X factor when it comes to being a top quality manager.
As other county's have found out, top quality managers are hard to find.

My wish from the county board is that they actively seek to interview several managers, and dont just stand back and wait for applications.

I would hope that its a young dynamic manager who has not long retired, that understands the modern game and what it takes to reach the top.

I believe we all agree other than one poster, that we need a new injection of excitement and enthusiasm back to Donegal gaa. And i am sure with the right appointment the players will feel reinvented also.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 20/07/2022 12:51:15    2433114

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I see online in the Irish News.... Breaking: Declan Bonner informed the Donegal players via text message last night of his decision to step down as manager after five years that brought two Ulster titles, but saw them fail to break the ceiling of an All-Ireland quarter-final #GAA

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 634 - 20/07/2022 12:52:12    2433115

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I'd say 90% of retired intercounty players never go to a county match after they retire. I still salute their efforts during their careers and would respect their opinions."
Your point being. Not much point arguing with people on here. You support the team by going to games cheering them on, same as in any sport. So many excuses on this forum. The way I look at it if you want to go to games you make sacrifices, same as you do in most aspects of life. Why are yous all responding to my points, I must be hitting a nerve but I'm right , Donegal support was a shame in clones. We blame the manager, the players the style of play, the weather, the distance. The price. Maybe it's time we agree that we're not real Donegal supporters. I'll be following Donegal it won't matter who the manager is.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 20/07/2022 13:01:36    2433118

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Replying To papa_pump:  "Quarter final exits in year one wouldn't be a failure. Need to beat the bad habits out of them.

Quarter final exits (or earlier) in years 3, 4 or 5 with talk of staying on for a 6th year however, that would surely put pressure on such a hypothetical manager..."
Listen here we have the most talented squad in the country, nothing less than winning Ulster and at least a semi final. One year is enough this is Jack o connors first year and bonner win Ulster in his first year. Time for excuses to stop..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 20/07/2022 13:04:42    2433120

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According to the Irish News he has informed the players he is leaving. Even though it is probably the right decision nobody should be dancing on his grave as he has given up a lot of his live for Donegal football and brought a lot of players with his along the way.

Let's hope the CB get their act together now to attract and appoint the best possible replacement.

Go raibh maith agat Declan, enjoy the break.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1200 - 20/07/2022 13:42:54    2433134

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Just reading reports that Declan Bonner has informed the players of his decision to step down.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1342 - 20/07/2022 14:02:40    2433143

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Listen here we have the most talented squad in the country, nothing less than winning Ulster and at least a semi final. One year is enough this is Jack o connors first year and bonner win Ulster in his first year. Time for excuses to stop.."
Yes Jack O Connor is a good example. Replaced an underachieving and uninspiring manager, and has proven that Kerry's squad was fine all along, and all they needed was the right man in charge to help them show it. Excellent point Rory well made

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 71 - 20/07/2022 14:36:05    2433148

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Looks like Declan Bonner is going. I don't think he had much choice, once you lose than fans there is no going back. He could have soldiered on next year but everyone would be on his back and its not a great environment for a team to prosper. I am sad it didn't work out for Declan, he had two very good years in 2018 and 2019, I really enjoyed our performances back then. I don't think we ever recovered from the defeat to Cavan in 2020, we had some fleeting moments in 2021 and 22 but nothing consistent. Did the Cavan defeat just knock the stuffing out of us?

As roryboys rightly points out, there isn't going to be a large queue of top candidates for the job. If Jim McGuinness isn't available, Rory Kavanagh would seem the best option within the county but I would like to see us playing a more attacking & direct game, similar to 2018-19. Outside the county, the only realistic candidate I can think of is Malachy O'Rourke.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1906 - 20/07/2022 14:49:29    2433155

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If the news is true then I wish to thank Declan for all of his efforts over the last number of years. It is a serious commitment managing any team, never mind a county team. There were some great days! No doubt he will continue to contribute immensely to his club. All the best and thanks again.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9764 - 20/07/2022 14:51:05    2433157

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Whoever the new manager is, i would give him time to build up the teams confidence and improve the teams fitness and strength and conditioning.
We have fallen behind in these departments, and i would forget about winning anything the first year. It would be a bonus if we do win in the first year.
As long as we see progress and are going in the right direction, i would be more than happy.
Even when our departing manager won them two ulsters, it did not convince me we were on the right track.
After all other teams were rebuilding and we beat fermanagh and cavan in them finals.
And ultimately i was proven correct when you look at the last few years.

I would still approach Tony McEntee even through he said he was staying in sligo.

Goodluck to whoever gets the job, it has got me excited again after 5 long years

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 20/07/2022 15:06:31    2433164

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Replying To The keeper:  "Well tonight is the night where we hear from the management, and i expect our current manager to step down.
I also expect the usual excuses, about media scrutiny, social media scrutiny and the disappointing support in the last two games.
But he has had two spells now and they have been relatively unsuccessful.
I dont actually blame Bonner, at the end of the day he is a Donegal gaa man, and its not his fault he lacks the X factor when it comes to being a top quality manager.
As other county's have found out, top quality managers are hard to find.

My wish from the county board is that they actively seek to interview several managers, and dont just stand back and wait for applications.

I would hope that its a young dynamic manager who has not long retired, that understands the modern game and what it takes to reach the top.

I believe we all agree other than one poster, that we need a new injection of excitement and enthusiasm back to Donegal gaa. And i am sure with the right appointment the players will feel reinvented also."
What's stopping Mc Guinness applying or being nominated. Is he not a Donegal man . Plenty **** on here from you. Now is the time for n Conal to nominate him, surely he won't turn us down. We'll see then what's he's made of.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 20/07/2022 15:12:55    2433166

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Replying To papa_pump:  "Yes Jack O Connor is a good example. Replaced an underachieving and uninspiring manager, and has proven that Kerry's squad was fine all along, and all they needed was the right man in charge to help them show it. Excellent point Rory well made"
Thank you papa we'll see next year with the new manager how talented a squad we .really have. Don't forget we'll be losing a few players . Sad day for Donegal football to lose a legend..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 20/07/2022 15:20:38    2433168

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Best wishes to Declan Bonner and a huge thanks for 2 Ulster titles and excellent work with the underage teams of the county, a nice man and a good manager.

I'm also sure anyone with Donegal football at their core will wish the next person nothing but the best, whoever he may be.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1412 - 20/07/2022 15:39:47    2433174

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Replying To The keeper:  "Whoever the new manager is, i would give him time to build up the teams confidence and improve the teams fitness and strength and conditioning.
We have fallen behind in these departments, and i would forget about winning anything the first year. It would be a bonus if we do win in the first year.
As long as we see progress and are going in the right direction, i would be more than happy.
Even when our departing manager won them two ulsters, it did not convince me we were on the right track.
After all other teams were rebuilding and we beat fermanagh and cavan in them finals.
And ultimately i was proven correct when you look at the last few years.

I would still approach Tony McEntee even through he said he was staying in sligo.

Goodluck to whoever gets the job, it has got me excited again after 5 long years"
First year lad or nothing with this talented squad. I'll be demanding it. What would you know about s&c . Have you a degree in it. Tony Mc entee don't make me laugh is that the only manager you know. Where did your last great manager go Cathal Corey . Hope Mc entee does better than him. Lol

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 20/07/2022 15:39:50    2433175

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Replying To rorysboys:  "What's stopping Mc Guinness applying or being nominated. Is he not a Donegal man . Plenty **** on here from you. Now is the time for n Conal to nominate him, surely he won't turn us down. We'll see then what's he's made of."
"We'll see what he is made of" would that be a dual AI winner John? He's the only one we have in that regard so I don't he needs to prove anything to anyone, least of all you.

No shouldn't you be concentrating on your Division 3 play off on Saturday??

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1200 - 20/07/2022 15:44:35    2433177

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Replying To rorysboys:  "First year lad or nothing with this talented squad. I'll be demanding it. What would you know about s&c . Have you a degree in it. Tony Mc entee don't make me laugh is that the only manager you know. Where did your last great manager go Cathal Corey . Hope Mc entee does better than him. Lol"
The irony is that Jim, who you have a vendetta against, did exactly what you demand in his first year. Got an Ulster and an All Ireland semi out of a team that hadn't won an Ulster match in years. No Semi for Declan in 5 years. I'm looking forward to seeing what an ambitious coach can do next year.

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 71 - 20/07/2022 15:51:25    2433181

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Thanks Declan. 2 Ulster titles and 4 final appearances in 5 years. Great work underage also bringing many of those players into the senior county set up. A true Donegal man. Let's get behind the new man now.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1208 - 20/07/2022 16:08:35    2433187

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So the search for a new manager begins, can't really think of anyone within the county who has put their hand up, looking like an outside appointment

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1060 - 20/07/2022 16:33:56    2433200

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Replying To Green_Gold:  "Looks like Declan Bonner is going. I don't think he had much choice, once you lose than fans there is no going back. He could have soldiered on next year but everyone would be on his back and its not a great environment for a team to prosper. I am sad it didn't work out for Declan, he had two very good years in 2018 and 2019, I really enjoyed our performances back then. I don't think we ever recovered from the defeat to Cavan in 2020, we had some fleeting moments in 2021 and 22 but nothing consistent. Did the Cavan defeat just knock the stuffing out of us?

As roryboys rightly points out, there isn't going to be a large queue of top candidates for the job. If Jim McGuinness isn't available, Rory Kavanagh would seem the best option within the county but I would like to see us playing a more attacking & direct game, similar to 2018-19. Outside the county, the only realistic candidate I can think of is Malachy O'Rourke."
Maybe there was no real option. It doesn't mean things will get better either. Plenty other teams similar to donegal are in worse place than donegal - cork, down, derry, meath and kildare as examples.

Internally If you exclude Jim mcguinness as an internal option then the two club managers would probably be Martin regan and Rory kavanagh but I don't think either are realistic. Regan looks to have been coaxed to come back to club and I'm sure kavanagh would want to prove himself a bit more at eunans. Then there is the gigantic commitment.
Malachy o'rourke has proven himself very competent at monaghan and glen. Though you'd hardly say that he (or kavanagh or regan) played free flowing football.
I really enjoyed the 2018 style of football under Bonner. I thought they had a real good balance. Mcbrearty getting injured really burst the bubble though. He was so good that year up until the injury.
Donegal were never probably as good since and that cavan defeat still hurts.
As murphy, Ryan mchugh, mcbrearty have come off their peak of 2018 I thought the younger players like langan, Jamie brennan, jason mcgee, niall o'donnell, oisin gallen, mcmenamin, mcff, mccole, ban would have pushed us on a bit more and taken on more responsibility but for whatever the reason they haven't.

And finally a big thanks to declan. He's only the third donegal manager to win an ulster championship and the first manager to win an ulster at minor, 21 and senior. And of course the first manager to get us to a minor all ireland final. Add him winning the senior all ireland and two ulsters as a player and it's a very fine legacy. Best of luck to him.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 817 - 20/07/2022 16:58:43    2433214

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