DECLAN BONNER says he is unsure what to expect from the Dr McKenna Cup campaign, given that preparation has been what he called ‘difficult and disjointed’.
Bonner’s Donegal Under-21s will represent the county in the McKenna Cup with Rory Gallagher’s seniors given time to plot their course towards the Allianz League.
The Under-21s, although missing a number of regulars, lost out 2-13 to 2-7 against Sligo in the North-West Under-21 Cup this afternoon in Letterkenny and, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with UUJ in Ballybofey, Bonner cuts something of a frustrated figure.
“It’s hard to know,” the 1992 All-Ireland winner said.
“It’s been bery disjointed. It’s been difficult getting the squad together and we have had no games under our belt. You can do gym work and running work, but we need to get up to match speed.
“It will be difficult and disjointed. We’ll know more later in the week about where we’re at.”
First-half goals by Daniel Clarke and Lorcan Connor had Donegal two points up at half-time, but with Paddy O’Connor scoring nine points Sligo pulled away and Kyle Cawley’s late goal gave the visitors a skewed six-point win.
Bonner said: “We looked like we were playing to a pattern. We got to half-time ahead, but we didn’t kick on.
“It’s good to get the run out and get the legs moving again. We have a big month ahead.
“It wasn’t about the result. It was about getting a performance and seeing where they’re at. There is a lot of work to do – but we know that.
“Our goal is ten weeks away, March 15 when we play Tyrone, These matches are for that.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/declan-bonner-after-donegal-lose-to-sligo
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