Declan Bonner, who played a crucial role in Donegal's victory over Dublin in the 1992 All-Ireland final, has been appointed team manager for a two-year period with a one-year option. The appointment was announced following a special meeting of the county committee in Ballybofey on Monday night. It is understood that other candidates for the position included Padraig McShea, Tom Connaghan, Eddie Gallagher and Bonner's 1992 team-mate, Anthony Molloy. All four withdrew before a vote.

An official county board statement says that Bonner will take up his position immediately and that a panel of selectors will be announced at a later date, probably next week. It is understood that Bonner will have a say in the selection of his selectors.

Bonner, from the Na Rossa club, played his last match in the Donegal jersey in this year's Ulster Championship when they were beaten by Cavan, managed incidentally, by another 1992 colleague Martin McHugh. He suffered two broken ribs in that match and announced his retirement from inter-county football immediately afterwards.