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Bonner hails depth of squad as Donegal get back into Ulster final

Donegal are into their 9th Ulster Senior Football Championship final in 10 years. Declan Bonner's...



Bonner hails depth of squad as...
Football

Bonner hails depth of squad as Donegal get back into Ulster final

Donegal are into their 9th Ulster Senior Football Championship final in 10 years.

Declan Bonner's side beat Armagh on a scoreline of 1-22 to 0-13 at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday afternoon.

Peadar Mogan scored the goal in the first half with Armagh never really looking like they were going to contest this semi-final.

Bonner was pleased with his side while talking to OTB Sports at full-time.

"It was a good, hard-working performance. I thought the lads that went out there - the 15 that started and the five that came off the bench worked really hard.

"When you're working it's not just the backs, it starts higher up the field, putting pressure on up the field.

"The lads all really, really worked hard and to me, that's the biggest satisfaction - how the lads went about their business, to be honest.

"Those 15 lads that started and the five that came off the bench really, really worked hard and that's all you can ask for.

"Yeah, there are certain qualities there, we know that, but it was a workmanlike performance and a very disciplined performance.

"The squad to me is so vital. The lads starting and the fresh legs in too but not those 20 players - we had 26 players togged out today and there's another six that will be chomping at the bit once we go back in tomorrow.

"To me, it's always about the squad, it's not about any individual and the lads know that and they continue to work hard and look for that improvement and that's all you can ask for."

The win means that Donegal remain on track to win three Ulster Championship titles in a row and they remain one of the favourites to challenge Dublin for the Sam Maguire.

They will face either Down or Cavan in the decider.

Although pleased to be back in an Ulster showpiece, Bonner wasn't getting carried away,

"Our goal at the start [of the championship] was to get to the Ulster final but it was always going to be difficult - look at Tyrone the first game and you look at Armagh today.

"We know it's not going to be easy in an Ulster final, Cavan overcame one of the fancied teams in Monaghan and Down were very impressive against Fermanagh the last day out.

"We've seven days now to prepare for an Ulster final, that preparation starts immediately, there's no time to dwell on today's performance - we'll look at it, we'll analyse it and see where we can get improvement. "

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Declan Bonner Donegal Ulster Senior Football Championship