If the League is to be credible there MUST be winners

BONNER SLAMS SHARING PLAN

Declan Bonner is not happy with the prospect of the League being

shared

DONEGAL boss Declan Bonner says the Allianz Football League has been undermined by the fact that winners may not even be declared this year.

Bonner is in the bizarre position whereby he sends his side into Saturday’s Division One semi-final against Dublin at Kingspan Breffni knowing that if they defeat the All-ireland champions, they will not get to compete for the New Ireland Cup in the final.

That’s because they open their Ulster Championship campaign against Down on June 27, the weekend after the League decider is scheduled for.

And the GAA has declared that, in such circumstances, the title will be shared to allow all counties at least a two-week run-in before their opening Championship game. Kerry are in a similar position ahead of their semifinal against Tyrone while the Division Two and Division Four finals will not be played and the Division Three title will also be shared if Offaly or Limerick come through their semi-finals.

Bonner said: “I thought we could have come back a couple of weeks earlier. To give the League credibility you have to play a League final. It is what it is so we just have to get on with it.”

He agreed that the final could have been prioritised ahead of the semi-finals this weekend.

“Possibly, yeah, basically it undermines the National League to be quite honest.

“The League is a very important competition and it is important from our point of view that we are playing Division One football for a number of reasons. We have done that.

“That was our main priority but it’s Dublin now at the weekend and it is a match we are looking forward to.”

In hurling, the League final will only be played if the Division 1A and 1B table-toppers meet in the Championship but Bonner dismissed that possibility in football.

“I doubt it. I think once next

Saturday night comes, that will be the end of the League. It’s Championship after that. It wouldn’t make any sense.”

Bonner confirmed that team captain Michael Murphy will not be involved in Saturday’s game having suffered a hamstring injury in the draw with Monaghan last month but added that he will be fully fit for the trip to Newry on Sunday fortnight.

“Michael will not make it. He is very close to be honest and we will have him ready for Championship. As of now, we have the majority of the other guys back.

“We have become used to lads not getting through sessions and we just have to wait now to get over the next two sessions to see what we have but there will be a strong team going out.

“There will be lads missing but at the same time we aim to be competitive against a strong Dublin team.”

Donegal managed to stave off the threat of relegation with a draw against Armagh last time out and Paddy Mcbrearty (inset) in particular – a decade on from making his senior debut as a 17-year-old – has helped to carry the load.

“Not just Patrick, but the whole group,” Bonner insisted. “Patrick has done extremely well. He kicked eight points in the last two games, but a lot of lads have stood up. It’s still a relatively young side.

“Caolan [Mcgonagle] is one of an older brigade and he’s only 25. These guys have been about a few years, the likes of Michael Langan, Eoghan Ban (Gallagher), Jamie (Brennan), Stephen Mcmenamin.

“These guys who have come through the ranks. Naturally we want to see Michael back, like any team would, just for his presence on the pitch alone. That’s there for everyone to see.”