Erne Gaels boss Declan Bonner and coach Paul Brennan will be staying with Fermanagh- county champions, Erne Gaels for the next year.
The duo guided the club to its first county title in 43 after defeating Enniskillen Gaels in a thrilling replay in October.
That victory sparked emotional scenes and spurred speculation on whether Bonner and Brennan would stay on for another.
And, while the ex-Donegal manager did not comment on any individual players, the news that the talismanic Ultan Kelm was not going to Australia could have been a positive factor for Bonner.
“It was tough on my mum and dad. I knew I was self-destructing. And I also knew the next phase of that, if I had carried on, it was not being here. I was in a very dark place...” - the life and times of Caolan Mooney
“I felt as if the world was going to end...” St Colman’s College sports studies students submit articles on the game, fight or issue that mattered most to them this year…
Confirming the news, Bonner said he was “just there for the year and after every year you review what went on and what the ambitions are for the club to go forward next year.
“We had discussions around that with players and management.
“We are now looking forward to really going at it again in 2025.”
Bonner admitted that “it would always have been difficult to leave -especially after the year we had.”
“But we know we need to raise the standards again for next year so that is the challenge, and I think the hunger and desire within the whole group.”
Having Ultan Kelm available again next year is a big boost for the Fermanagh champions after it was rumoured that the senior county star could depart for the AFL.
“He is a quality player and had an outstanding county final and we are glad to have him again,” said Bonner.
“There was also talk of some other players going away but that is not happening, and we should have near enough a full deck for next year.
“But the effort of all the squad was most important.
“We put in a lot of work last year, and let’s hope we can build on it in 2025.
“That is the challenge and with the new rules coming in-that will also be a challenge.
“We will embrace them and take them on board, and it is going to be exciting.”
Bonner warned that Erne Gaels need to push things on after a chastening experience against Scotstown in the Ulster club championship.
“It was a learning experience against a very good Scotstown side and preparations were not ideal for us with the sad passing of Mark Lyons.
“But Scotstown were at a different level on the night but it’s a challenge to the lads to see if they can retain the county title and that is going to be tough.
“There are some really good teams in there who would have serious ambitions of taking the title, but we will take it step by step just like last year.
Bonner added that they would be looking for improvements that would make Belleek even more competitive.
But the fact that the Gaels have got over a major hurdle in ending a 43-year famine means there is less pressure on the team as it seeks to retain the Erne title.
“Yes and belief is crucial as when you lose three finals the belief can be sapped but this year after we could not get over the line in the drawn game with Enniskillen I still felt there was more in us.
“Once we analysed that game, I felt from the Tuesday night that we were back on the pitch I felt we were in a really good place and that is how it turned out.
“The lads showed greater resilience to come through.
