DONEGAL manager Declan Bonner says that the GAA’s closure of the month of April for club activity will not work as there is not a level playing field.
The new Tír Chonaill boss says that it will be impossible for him to give up the month to clubs as he prepares his team for their Ulster Championship opener against Cavan on May 13.
That contrasts with the date of the first Championship outing of the year for All-Ireland champions Dublin (May 26/27), Kerry and Cork (both June 2).
“Maybe if we were not out so early or every team in the country was starting out on the same date and you had a level playing field, then you might be able to look at it in a different way,” said the Na Rossa clubman.
“But look at counties like Kerry and Dublin and quite a number of other counties who are not out until the month of June.
“An April free month would certainly suit them, but we are in a totally different position up here in Donegal and I hope the clubs can understand this.
“I don’t think this decision of Croke Park’s was well thought out and every county is different and has to act accordingly.”
However Bonner said the first week in April could be an option to be looked at for clubs, as there would still be five-six weeks ahead of the big championship clash with Cavan.
In his acceptance speech he promised that Donegal would be changing its style of play somewhat and adopting a more direct approach.
He has also introduced a number of new faces into he panel and brought back two major absentees from last year.
Among those added to the squad are Tony McClenaghan, Stephen McMenamin, Stephen McBrearty, Ciaran McGinley, Gary Merritt, Kevin McBrearty and Nathan Mullins.
And Leo McLoone and Odhran MacNiallais are also back in the fold and training again. Neither had featured under previous boss Rory Gallagher.
