He’s top class, it’s exciting to have Nathan on board
BONNER HAILS SON OF LEGENDARY DUB MULLINS
DECLAN BONNER believes Nathan Mullins will be a big addition to the Donegal team this year.
The big midfielder made his senior inter-county debut in Wednesday night’s Dr Mckenna Cup win over Queen’s University having switched allegiances from Dublin.
Son of legendary Dub and four-time All-ireland winner Brian Mullins, the 28-year-old has starred for St Vincent’s in the last two seasons and accepted an invite onto new boss Bonner’s panel for 2018.
“His attitude is top class, he us professional in everything he does, so it’s exciting times for him and for us,” Bonner (right) said.
“He has been impressive in midfield for St Vincent’s this last two years and was Dublin club player of the year in 2017.
no matter where you play your club football, even if it’s in Dublin, senior intercounty football is a big step up so it is going to be a learning curve for him.
“It was a reasonable debut for him. He has applied himself very well and he does add something extra to us in the middle of the field.”
Mullins was born and raised in Donegal due to his father teaching in Carndonagh but played for the
Dublin U21s in the All-ireland final win over
Donegal in
2010.
He fisted a goal against
Queen’s o n Wednesday night and should add value in an area where Donegal are not blessed with talent.
Since the retirement of Neil Gallagher and Rory Kavanagh, they’ve struggled in that sector with Michael Murphy having to muck in and fulfil several roles when he should be closer to goals. Donegal take on Mona“but Connacht FBD FL rnd 2 O’byrne Cup rnd 3 O’byrne Cup rnd 2 Mcgrath Cup rnd 2 Mckenna Cup rnd 2 ghan in Clones in a second round game tomorrow when Odhran Macniallais should make his return, having opted out of the squad last year.
“It’s always exciting starting a new campaign,” says Bonner, “there’s a lot of hard work going on and these games are coming thick and fast”.
“Monaghan Walsh Cup rnd 3 Walsh Cup rnd 2 Munster SHL rnd 2 Kehoe Cup rnd 2 will a much sterner test but it has been a positive start so far.
“At times we slipped back into what I would our old ways (against Queen’s) in terms of holding onto the ball for too long and taking the wrong decision.
“There were opportunities to tag on more scores and we weren’t ruthless enough, but the lads adapted well to the roles they were given.”
Elsewhere in Section C, Fermanagh face Queen’s in Enniskillen while in Section A it’s holders Tyrone against Sigerson Cup champions St Mary’s in Coalisland and Antrim against Cavan at Glenavy.
Down’s game against Ulster University in Section B has been moved to Burren with Derry taking on Armagh in the Athletic Grounds.