Declan Bonner: Former Donegal boss set to be appointed as Fermanagh manager after rival withdraws

Fermanagh’s search for Kieran Donnelly’s replacement appears to be over with former Donegal boss Declan Bonner set to be appointed on Monday night

Fermanagh are set to appoint Declan Bonner as their new senior football manager at tonight’s county board meeting.

Bonner is understood to be the only candidate interviewed for the role with former Fermanagh U20 manager Maurice McLaughlin withdrawing from the race.

Former Cavan manager and current Galway coach Mickey Graham and Down coach Mickey Donnelly were others who were linked to the position vacated by Kieran Donnelly last month.

The Brookeborough native surprisingly stepped down after four years in charge of the Ernemen having been handed a fresh three-year extension last summer after succeeding former Tyrone star Ryan McMenamin in 2021.

Fermanagh suffered a heartbreaking last-gasp loss to Down in the Ulster SFC quarter-final, but reached the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for for the first time, losing to eventual champions Kildare.

Bonner won two Ulster titles as manager of his native Donegal in 2018 and 2019 and is currently in charge defending Fermanagh champions Erne Gaels.

Belleek have drawn two games so far and could face elimination this weekend if they lose their final group game to Teemore and Kinawley beat Ederney.

Should they progress, Bonner would join new Antrim manager Mark Doran and Louth boss Gavin Devlin in juggling club and county commitments until the end of their respective club seasons.

Doran is currently managing Slaughtneil while Devlin is over Magherafelt with both teams through to the Derry SFC quarter-finals.