Mulgrew and Bonner to take over in Donegal
Former Fermanagh boss Charlie Mulgrew and ex-county star Declan Bonner are set to be appointed as the new Donegal senior football joint-managers at the next meeting of the County Board.
Mulgrew and Bonner were interviewed for the position on Tuesday night, and although initially deciding to apply separately, they launched a joint bid and have now succeeded in their quest.
The new management team will be ratified next week by Donegal's clubs.
Interviews concluded last night with Mulgrew and Bonner the preferred candidates, beating off 1992 All-Ireland winner John Joe Doherty, Jim McGuinness, Francie Martin and former St Eunan's and Glenfin manager Mickey Houston.
It is second time lucky for Mulgrew, who was interviewed for the position last year only to be denied when Brian McIver was voted back in.
Mulgrew took charge of Fermanagh for four years, and he helped them reach the All-Ireland semi-final in 2004, following victories over Meath, Cork and Donegal via the qualifier route.
Bonner from the Na Rossa club is back on familiar territory.
The 43-year-old was Donegal manager from 1998 to 2000, guiding his county side to an Ulster final in the first year, only to lose out to Derry by two points in the Clones encounter.
Sean Clearkin will join Mulgrew and Bonner as a selector, while Conal Sheridan from Omagh, who was involved as a trainer during Mulgrew's tenure in Fermanagh, is set to assume that role in the new set-up.
The duo's appointment is the second joint-management team to succeed in apply for an inter-county role ahead of next year's campaign.
Mickey Moran and John Morrison were recently appointed to the Leitrim senior football management team.
