Junior Cup is our Champions League final - Homers skipper

GARY Bonnes believes that Monday’s Coca-Cola Irish Junior Cup final will be the equivalent of playing in the Champions League final for himself and his Harryville Homers team-mates.
Skipper Gary Bonnes is a key player for Harryville Homers.Skipper Gary Bonnes is a key player for Harryville Homers.
Skipper Gary Bonnes is a key player for Harryville Homers.

The Homers skipper insists that he won’t be distracted by the possibility of personal glory in his efforts to help the Harryville men land the ‘Holy Grail’ of junior football in Northern Ireland.

The 29-year-old could be come the first player in the 44-year history of the Ballymena Saturday Morning League to lift the famous trophy if his side can see off holders Strathroy Harps in next Monday’s final at Mill Meadow, Castledawson.

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“It would be nice to do that but the most important thing is winning - no-one ever remembers the runners-up,” Gary told Times Sport.

Few players would deserve success more than Bonnes, whose 16-year connection with the Homers was broken only by a short spell with IFA Championship side Tobermore United.

“I wanted to give it a go at a higher level but at that time I had to get an operation on my nose and I wasn’t that keen on the travelling so I was happier coming back and playing for the Homers.

“It’s been something that has been in my family - I have uncles who played for the club - but if we could win the Junior Cup I would definitely have one up on them!”

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In those 16 years Bonnes has seen plenty of ups and downs, with the lowest point coming last year when Homers were kicked out of the County Antrim Junior Shield, having reached the final, after it was discovered they had inadvertently played players who had been ineligible for the competition - a rule which was subsequently changed in the aftermath.

“It was definitely a tough time for everybody - we were all gutted.

“At the time it was the biggest final that most of us thought that we would play in.

“You have to give Robert Duddy a lot of credit because he took charge at a time when things were low and yet we have just managed to get stronger and stronger this season. He really has given us a new lease of life.

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“We entered the Junior Cup because we were banned from the Shield and we were looking for something different from just playing in the Saturday morning League. We didn’t think too much about it but as the rounds went on, we seemed to get better and better.

“It’s strange the way things have worked out.

“From a personal point of view I would love to win it and dedicate it to my granny, who died recently, and I would also love to win it for the club, especially in our 40th anniversary year.

“If the Junior Shield final was the equivalent of the Europa League, then this one is our Champions League final,” said Gary.

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