Declan Bonner not ruling himself out of running for Fermanagh job

Kieran Donnelly surprisingly stepped down as Fermanagh manager earlier this week. 

Declan Bonner's stock has risen considerably in Fermanagh after he and his coaching team of Paul Brennan and Ciaran Smith led Erne Gaels to the county title. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Declan Bonner has not ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Fermanagh manager role. Kieran Donnelly surprisingly stepped down as Fermanagh boss earlier this week. 

It was a shock as he had been given an extension until 2027. The genial Brookeboro man, who had been in charge since the 2022 season, was not keen to elaborate on his reasons for going when contacted.

Donnelly was desperately unlucky that his side did not beat Down in the Ulster Championship but poor defeats to Carlow and Kildare in the Tailteann Cup were not encouraging. Already the rumour mill is in overdrive in a season where county managers are falling like flies.

One man who could be in the running is current Erne Gaels boss Bonner. When contacted, Bonner said he was “not ruling anything out or in". Naturally his full focus is now on retaining the Fermanagh county championship with Erne Gaels.

His stock has risen considerably in Fermanagh after he and his coaching team of Paul Brennan and Ciaran Smith took the men from Belleek to their first county title since 1981. Bonner stepped down as Donegal manager in 2022 after five years at the helm.

Another Donegal man who could be in the running is Maurice McLaughlin, who has been involved with the Erne County at underage level for the past six years.

McLaughlin has a strong affinity with Erne Gaels as well. He took them to a county final appearance in 2016 only to lose to Derrygonnelly Harps by a single point. His older brother Liam is a former Fermanagh senior captain.

Bonner and McLaughlin look to be definite candidates but two well-known brothers, Simon and Colm Bradley, could be outside contenders.

Simon Bradley, the elder brother, is a highly respected figure having brought Enniskillen Gaels to a county title in 2022.

He is fully focused on Enniskillen Gaels at present and will be hoping to make up for the disappointing county final defeat to Erne Gaels last year.

Bradley was also a former county star. His younger brother Colm is also a highly respected coach and manager.

As a player, he will always be remembered for kicking a wonderful point in the All-Ireland qualifiers against Meath in Brewster Park in 2004 when Fermanagh reached the All-Ireland semi-final.

He has also managed Belnaleck to the most narrow of defeats in the county semi-final and is currently managing in Tyrone.

The former journalist has linked up with McLaughlin previously in the Fermanagh U20 setup.