DECLAN BONNER admitted that despite ringing the changes in their defeat to Kerry, he expected more from his team in their loss against Kerry this afternoon.
Donegal made eight changes from the side who defeated Tyrone six days’ beforehand and were without the likes of Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh and Neil McGee in their 2-18 to 0-10 loss at Austin Stack Park.
“We had championship in mind and we were looking for a better performance to be honest,” the Donegal manager said.
Sean O’Shea and Gavin White scored goals in the second quarter as Kerry put the foot onto the accelerator and left Donegal in their wake.
“The two goals in the first half were, from our point of view, were poor,” Bonner added. “It was always going to be difficult with a young, inexperienced side to come back from that. Kerry dominated and were deservedly winners.”
Despite the loss, Bonner at least got to get some of his fringe players a run, with Andrew McClean making a first league start and Conor O’Donnell from Carndonagh appearing from the bench for the first time. Others return from lay-offs.
“Great to get lads back in,” Bonner added. “Paddy McGrath played his first game in a good while, Michael Langan and Jason McGee came back in to get game time. Stephen McMenamin got in and got some gametime and for us now, it’s all systems go and ready for championship.”
"We were looking for a better performance.
"The two goals in the first half were poor and it was always going to be difficult to come back"
Declan Bonner says it is now all systems go for Championship for his side after a disappointing afternoon in Tralee.#AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/15vIn1EyHm
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 24, 2020
