Donegal managerial row rumbles on

Charlie Mulgrew (left) and Declan Bonner are both fuming

Charlie Mulgrew and Declan Bonner have hinted that they are considering legal action after having an offer to manage the Donegal football team withdrawn.

Mulgrew and Bonner are still fuming after Wednesday's extraordinary events when John Joe Doherty was offered the position for a second time.

"This scenario is not going to die away," Mulgrew told BBC Radio Foyle.

"If that can't be done within the offices of the GAA, it will be done in some other office."

Both Mulgrew and Bonner insist that their "integrity and honour" has been called into question by the events of Wednesday night.

The Donegal GAA Board opted to revisit their original decision to offer the job to Doherty after the Glencolmcille man had been allowed to address the meeting in person.

Mulgrew has made it clear that he is deeply unhappy that Doherty was given the opportunity to speak at the gathering.

"The whole set-up of the meeting is being called into question," added Mulgrew.

"The whole process of the meeting is being called into question.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm not a former team-mate (of John Joe Doherty) Charlie Mulgrew

"The whole legitimacy of one of the candidates for the post being allowed to speak to the meeting and to address club delegates directly has been called into question.

"At the moment, we are speaking with different people as to how we are going to address the situation."

To emphasise the increasingly bitter nature of the affair, Mulgrew made clear his personal anger at Doherty's role in Wednesday's sensational events.

"To be classified as a former team-mate by that guy. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not a former team-mate (of his)."

Mulgrew also hit out at Doherty's criticism of former Donegal manager Brian McEniff, who walked out of the meeting as a result.

"Brian McEniff is a man who has served Donegal football hugely throughout the years, whom I've had numerous rows with down the years, but the counsel has always been between ourselves.

"He was insulted and his integrity and honour called into doubt, with the result that he left the meeting.

Doherty (left) was offered the job for a second time on Wednesday

"This is a man who has been involved in Donegal football for 60 years."

Mulgrew and Bonner both hinted that they have not given up hope of landing the Donegal job - although they will not take the role unless there are changes at the county board's top table.

"It would be a huge honour to manage the county," added Mulgrew.

"I believe I have the necessary skills. I'm not going to get into blowing my own trumpet but there is still fight in this dog."

Bonner described the interview process for the job as "fundamentally flawed".

"Under no circumstances could I manage a team or get involved in Donegal football that would have those guys at the top table," said Bonner.

"An awful lot of stuff will need to change over the next couple of days or couple of weeks but I don't think there is a great rush to appoint the new manager.

"Some day down the line I would love to get involved in again in Donegal football."

Bonner also said that the affair had convinced a number of businessmen to withdraw their cash support for Donegal support.

Also on Friday, a Donegal players statement expressed "serious disappointment" with how the county board has handled the search for a successor.

The players statement also called on club delegates to "reappraise the position of a number of senior executives in the county board".