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Donegal Senior Football Championship

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Donegal Senior Football Championship
Current season or competition:
2024 Donegal Senior Football Championship
IrishCraobh Peil Sinsear Dhún na nGall
Founded1920
Title holdersNaomh Conaill (7th title)
Most titlesGaoth Dobhair & St Eunan's (15 titles)
SponsorsMichael Murphy Sports and Leisure[1] & RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

The Donegal Senior Football Championship (abbreviated as Donegal SFC) is an annual football competition organised by Donegal GAA and contested by the highest-level clubs, to determine the best team in County Donegal. Since 2016, it has been known as Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Donegal SFC after its headline sponsor.

Initially a straight knock-out competition, the Donegal SFC added a round-robin group stage in 2013. The final is played at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey. The winning club qualifies to represent its county in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, the winners of which go on to compete in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.

The winning club receives the Dr Maguire Cup. The competition has been won by 17 clubs, 14 of which have won it more than once. Gaoth Dobhair and St Eunan's are the most successful clubs, with 15 titles apiece. The most recent team to win the competition for a first time is Glenswilly: in 2011 (followed by further title wins in 2013 and 2016). The most recent first-time finalist (with no title win) is St Michael's, also in 2011.

The reigning champion is Naomh Conaill, having defeated Gaoth Dobhair in the 2023 final.

History

[edit]

The 1996 Donegal SFC has been described as "probably the greatest ever championship in Donegal", with Na Cealla Beaga playing nine games to lift the trophy that year.[2]

The 1997 Donegal SFC descended into controversy when St Eunan's, having beaten Aodh Ruadh in the final by a scoreline of 1–11 to 2–7, had the title stripped from them — due to St Eunan's fielding Leslie McGettigan, an illegal player.[3] The affair made the national press and its effects continued for many months, into the following year.[4]

In 2002, Na Cealla Beaga were thrown out of the Donegal SFC at the semi-final stage — after also being accused of fielding an illegal player, with New York again at the centre of the dispute. The player — Peter McGinley — as well as the club's chairman and secretary were banned for one year. Assistant secretary Bernard Conaghan (reported the Irish Independent) said: "We were careful not to play this player until his papers came through from New York. We sat him out for a league game and our first Championship match, we did everything we thought possible to make sure he was legal and now this has happened, it's a terrible blow".[5] The final of that competition was not played until 2003 due to a disagreement between Ard an Rátha and Naomh Adhamhnáin over Eddie Brennan.[6]

In 2008, Termon — described in national newspaper the Sunday Independent as "one of the smallest if not the smallest" in the county — reached an SFC final for the first time in their history.[7]

Jim McGuinness assisted Naomh Conaill to success in the 2000s before becoming an All-Ireland SFC winning manager with Donegal.[8] Naomh Conaill, as county champions, made it all the way to the final of the 2010 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship by defeating Cavan champions Kingscourt in the preliminary round, Monaghan champions Clontibret O'Neills in the first round proper, and Tyrone champions Coalisland in the semi-final.[9]

Naomh Conaill was also involved in the 2020 Championship final saga, which did not conclude until 2022.[10][11][12]

Competition format

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The old format, which involved a two-legged first round, was scrapped ahead of the 2013 Donegal SFC in favour of an opening round containing four groups of four teams played out as a league and one team relegated.[13] Two of the four teams in each group advance to the (one-legged) quarter-finals after each have played the others once. The four winning quarter-finalists advance to the (one-legged) semi-finals and the winners advanced to the (one-legged) final.

Teams finishing bottom of their group play two relegation semi-finals. The losing relegation semi-final teams met in the relegation final. The losing team is relegated to the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship (Donegal IFC) to be replaced by the IFC-winning team.

The format was retained for 2014.[14]

A "League Stage" was adopted for the 2020 competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic bringing play to a halt earlier, and restricting play later, in the year.

Qualification for subsequent competitions

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Ulster Senior Club Football Championship

[edit]

The Donegal SFC winners qualify for the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. It is the only team from County Donegal to qualify for this competition. The Donegal SFC winners may enter the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship at either the preliminary round or the quarter-final stage. Teams to have qualified for the final of that competition include Na Cealla Beaga, Naomh Conaill, Glenswilly and Gaoth Dobhair.[15][16][17]

All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship

[edit]

The Donegal SFC winners – by winning the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship – may qualify for the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship, at which they would enter at the semi-final stage. The last team from County Donegal to do this was Gaoth Dobhair in 2018; they were knocked out by reigning (and eventual) All-Ireland champions Corofin.

Winners and finalists

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Results by team

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Results by team
# Team Location Wins Years won Last final lost
1
Gaoth Dobhair
Gweedore
15
 1935, 1938, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1961, 2002, 2006, 2018
2023
St Eunan's
Letterkenny
 1948, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1983, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021
2022
3
Aodh Ruadh
Ballyshannon
12
 1929, 1932, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1951, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1997, 1998
1999
4
Naomh Iósaef/St Joseph's
Bundoran and Ballyshannon
8
 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
1969
5
An Clochán Liath
Dungloe
7
 1930, 1931, 1933, 1936, 1940, 1957, 1958
1964
Naomh Conaill
Glenties
 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
2021
7
Ard an Rátha
Ardara
6
 1923, 1926, 1928, 1981, 2000, 2004
1984
Cill Chartha
Kilcar
 1925, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1993, 2017
2020
Na Cealla Beaga
Killybegs
 1952, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996
2013
Seán MacCumhaills
Ballybofey and Stranorlar
 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1971, 1977
2004
11
Réalt na Mara
Bundoran
3
 1920, 1934, 1979
1935
Na Ceithre Máistrí
Donegal Town
 1982, 1984, 2003
2001
Glenswilly
Glenswilly
 2011, 2013, 2016
2014
14
Naomh Columba
Glencolmcille
2
 1978, 1990
1998
15
Caisleán na Finne
Castlefin
1
 1922 —
Baile Dhún na nGall
Donegal
 1924
1954
Ruagairí Leitir Ceanainn
Letterkenny
 1927
1930

Consecutive winners

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Two clubs have completed a Donegal SFC four-in-a-row: these were Gaoth Dobhair (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947) and Naomh Iósaef/St Joseph's (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976).

Three clubs have completed a Donegal SFC three-in-a-row: these were Gaoth Dobhair (1953, 1954, 1955), Seán Mac Cumhaills (1962, 1963, 1964) and St Eunan's (2007, 2008, 2009).

Na Cealla Beaga have won consecutive Donegal SFCs on two occasions (1991, 1992 and 1995, 1996).

A merger between Aodh Ruadh and the less successful Réalt na Mara resulted in the formation of the hugely successful Naomh Iósaef/St Joseph's, who dominated Donegal club football in the 1960s and 1970s winning consecutive Donegal SFCs (1970, 1971) and a 'Four in a Row' between 1973 and 1976. Aodh Ruadh have won consecutive Donegal SFCs on their own on three occasions (1942 & 1943; 1986 & 1987; and 1997 & 1998).

Naomh Conaill, meanwhile, have established the unusual trend of winning the competition in every 21st-century year ending in "5" or "0", despite never having won it before that time.

Finals listed by year

[edit]

(r) = replay

(aet) = after extra time

Year Winner Score Opponent Score Winning captain Man of the match Winning manager
1920 Réalt na Mara 2–04 Killygordon 1–02
1921 No Final
1922 Castlefin (by 3 points) Glenties
1923 Ard an Rátha 0–03 Ballybofey 0–01
1924 Dún na nGall 3–02 An Clochán Liath 1–04
1925 Cill Chartha
1926 Ard an Rátha 0–05 Letterkenny Rovers 0–02
1927 Letterkenny Rovers
1928 Ard an Rátha 1–04 Killygordon 0–03
1929 Aodh Ruadh 0–07 Killygordon 0–05
1930 An Clochán Liath 3–02 Letterkenny 2–03
1931 An Clochán Liath 2–04 Ballybofey 2–02
1932 Aodh Ruadh 1–07 An Clochán Liath 0–01
1933 An Clochán Liath 3–02 Réalt na Mara 1–03
1934 Réalt na Mara 1–05 An Clochán Liath 0–04
1935[18] Gaoth Dobhair 1–08 Réalt na Mara 0–03
1936 An Clochán Liath 2–08 Ard an Rátha 2–02
1937 Aodh Ruadh 3–08 Gaoth Dobhair 4–02
1938 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07 Ard an Rátha 0–05
1939 Aodh Ruadh 0–06 Gaoth Dobhair 0–04
1940 An Clochán Liath 3–08 Aodh Ruadh 1–03
1941 Gaoth Dobhair 0–10 Glenties 2–03
1942 Aodh Ruadh 2–08 Glenties 1–04
1943 Aodh Ruadh 1–09 Convoy 2–01
1944 Gaoth Dobhair 4–10 St Eunan's 3–04
1945 Gaoth Dobhair 4–05 Aodh Ruadh 1–06
1946 Gaoth Dobhair 0–07 St Eunan's 0–06
1947 Gaoth Dobhair 1–09 St Eunan's 0–03
1948 St Eunan's 1–07 Gaoth Dobhair 2–01
1949 Gaoth Dobhair 2–12 St Eunan's 3–04
1950 No Final
1951 Aodh Ruadh 1–06 Dún na nGall 1–05
1952 Na Cealla Beaga 0–09 St Eunan's 1–05
1953 Gaoth Dobhair 1–05 Carndonagh 1–04
1954 Gaoth Dobhair 3–06 Dún na nGall 0–05
1955 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07 St Eunan's 1–04
1956 St Eunan's 0–08 Aodh Ruadh 1–02
1957 An Clochán Liath 0–12 Aodh Ruadh 1–04
1958 An Clochán Liath 2–06 St Eunan's 2–05
1959 Seán MacCumhaills 2–07 Cill Chartha 1–06
1960 St Eunan's 0–11 Gaoth Dobhair 0–03
1961 Gaoth Dobhair 2–05 An Clochán Liath 0–06
1962 Seán MacCumhaills 1–09 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07
1963 Seán MacCumhaills 1–06 Cill Chartha 0–04
1964 Seán MacCumhaills 1–11 An Clochán Liath 1–03
1965 St Joseph's 1–11 Glenties 0–10
1966 No Final
1967 St Eunan's 1–13 St Joseph's 1–09
1968 St Joseph's 1–10 Seán MacCumhaills 0–05
1969 St Eunan's 0–10 St Joseph's 1–04
1970 St Joseph's 1–16 St Eunan's 0–04
1971 Seán MacCumhaills 2–10 St Joseph's 0–11
1972 St Eunan's 2–12 Clanna Gael 1–08
1973 St Joseph's 1–08 Seán MacCumhaills 1–06
1974 St Joseph's 1–08 St Eunan's 1–03
1975 St Joseph's 1–11 Seán MacCumhaills 1–05
1976 St Joseph's 1–13 Four Masters 0–05
1977 Seán MacCumhaills 0–08 Gaoth Dobhair 0–05
1978 Naomh Columba 1–12 Gaoth Dobhair 0–10 Michael Oliver McIntyre[19]
1979 Réalt na Mara 0–09 Seán MacCumhaills 1–05
1980 Cill Chartha 1–13 Ard an Rátha 0–08 Sean McGinley Michael Carr[20]
1981 Ard an Rátha 1–07 Four Masters 0–06
1982 Four Masters 1–04 Cill Chartha 0–06
1983 St Eunan's 0–08 Ard an Rátha 0–03
1984 Four Masters 0–09 Ard an Rátha 1–02
1985 Cill Chartha 0–09 Four Masters 0–07 James McHugh
1986 Aodh Ruadh 1–08 Red Hughs 0-05 Tommy McDermott P. J. Buggy
1987 Aodh Ruadh 2–10 Cill Chartha 1–07 Brian Tuohy P. J. Buggy
1988 Na Cealla Beaga 2–10 Cill Chartha 2–08 Barry Cunningham Michael Campbell John Joe O'Shea[21]
1989 Cill Chartha 1–09 Aodh Ruadh 0–09 John Doogan
1990[19] Naomh Columba 0–10 Na Cealla Beaga 0–09 John Joe Doherty[19] Séamus Carr[19] Michael McNelis[22]
1991[23] Na Cealla Beaga 2–07 Red Hughs 0–11 Denis Carberry[24] Jimmy White[21]
1992 Na Cealla Beaga 0–12 Naomh Columba 0–09
1993 Cill Chartha 0–12 Na Cealla Beaga 0–10 Mark McShane
1994 Aodh Ruadh 2–10 Naomh Columba 1–10 Sylvester Maguire Sean Boyle
1995 Na Cealla Beaga 0–10 Naomh Columba 1-06 John Cunningham
1996 Na Cealla Beaga 1–08 Naomh Columba 1–07 Barry McGowan David Meehan Pauric McShea?[25]
1997 St Eunan's 1–11 Aodh Ruadh 2–07 Charlie O'Donnell
1998 Aodh Ruadh 1–11 Naomh Columba 0–11 Val Murray Michael "Sticky" Ward Sylvester Maguire
1999 St Eunan's 1–19 Aodh Ruadh 1–11 Brendan Devenney
2000 Ard an Rátha 1–09 St Eunan's 0–07 Michael Doherty
2001 St Eunan's 1–10 Four Masters 0–08
2002 Gaoth Dobhair 1–11 St Eunan's 0–10
2003[26] Four Masters 0–15 Termon 0–09
2004[27] Ard an Rátha 1–09 Seán MacCumhaills 0–04 Brendan Boyle John McConnell[27]
2005[28] Naomh Conaill 1–05, 0–10 (r) St Eunan's 0–08, 1–05 (r) Paddy Campbell
2006[29] Gaoth Dobhair 1–05 St Eunan's 0–06 James Gallagher Eamon McGee Declan Bonner
2007[30] St Eunan's 0–12 Glenswilly 1–03 John Haran Patrick McGowan Brendan Kilcoyne
2008[31][32] St Eunan's 2–13 Termon 1–08 Brendan Devenney
2009[33] St Eunan's 0–13 Naomh Conaill 0–07 Brendan Devenney Ciaran Greene
2010[34] Naomh Conaill 1–15 Na Cealla Beaga 0–08 Anthony Thompson Leo McLoone Cathal Corey
2011[35][36] Glenswilly 1–08 St Michael's 0–09 Gary McFadden Michael Murphy Gary McDaid and John McGinley
2012[37][38] St Eunan's 1–07 Naomh Conaill 0–09 Mick Martin Dara Gallagher Eamon O'Boyle
2013[39] Glenswilly 3–19 Na Cealla Beaga 2–06 James Pat McDaid Michael Murphy Gary McDaid
2014[40][41] St Eunan's 0–09 Glenswilly 0–06 Rory Kavanagh John Haran Maxi Curran
2015[42] Naomh Conaill 0–11 St Eunan's 0–10 Leo McLoone Leo McLoone Martin Regan
2016[43] Glenswilly 1–10 Cill Chartha 0–12 Gary McFadden Michael Murphy Michael Canning
2017[44] Cill Chartha 0–07 Naomh Conaill 0–04 Patrick McBrearty Mark McHugh Barry Doherty
2018[45] Gaoth Dobhair 0–17 Naomh Conaill 1–07 Niall Friel Odhrán Mac Niallais Mervyn O'Donnell
2019[46] Naomh Conaill 0–08, 1–11 (r), 0-08 (2r) Gaoth Dobhair 0–08, 0–14 (r), 0-07 (2r) Ciarán Thompson Ethan O'Donnell Martin Regan
2020[47] Naomh Conaill 2-07 (aet; won 4–2 on penalties) Cill Chartha 0–13 (aet; lost 4–2 on penalties) Ciarán Thompson Ciarán Thompson Martin Regan
2021[48] St Eunan's 1–11 Naomh Conaill 0–04 Niall O'Donnell Shane O'Donnell Rory Kavanagh
2022[49] Naomh Conaill 1–09 St Eunan's 2–05 Kevin McGettigan[50] Ciarán Thompson[51] Martin Regan
2023[52] Naomh Conaill 1–16 Gaoth Dobhair 1–08 Ultan Doherty Ethan O'Donnell Martin Regan

Media coverage

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]

Matches are covered live throughout the county on Highland Radio.

Some matches are also covered by Ocean FM (if they involve teams from its area) alongside its coverage of sport in the neighbouring counties of Sligo and Leitrim.[53]

Newspapers such as the Donegal Democrat, Donegal News and Donegal People's Press provide extensive coverage of the competition.

Abroad

[edit]

Live matches from the competition have been shown on Irish-language national television service TG4 as part of its GAA Beo programme. Highlights have been shown on the GAA... programme on Monday evenings on the same channel.

RTÉ began showing the Donegal SFC to English-language viewers on television in 2019.[54]

With interest in the sport at an all-time high following the county's showing in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, the final of the 2012 Donegal SFC was broadcast live on TG4.[55]

Coverage of the final may be found in newspapers such as The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent the following day.

Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh

[edit]

A player of the year award has been given since 2016. Its title commemorates the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh. A committee of sports journalists decides the winner.[56]

It is carved to resemble Errigal.[57] It is made from Donegal granite.[57] It has an engraving of Séamus Mac Géidigh on its front.[57]

Year Player Club
2016[58] Michael Murphy Glenswilly
2017[59][60][61] Mark McHugh Cill Chartha
2018[62] Odhrán Mac Niallais Gaoth Dobhair
2019[63] Ciarán Thompson Naomh Conaill
2020[note 1] — —
2021[64] Caolan Ward St Eunan's
2022[65] Brendan McDyer Naomh Conaill
2023[66] Oisín Gallen Seán Mac Cumhaills
Notes
  1. ^ No Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh was given in 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Campbell, Peter; McNulty, Chris; Doherty, Diarmaid; Comack, Tom; McLaughlin, Gerry; Foley, Alan (8 September 2022). "Donegal Democrat/DonegalLive SFC team of the week — week 4". Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ^ Campbell, Peter (5 November 2021). "Killybegs winners of greatest ever Donegal senior championship in 1996". Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  3. ^ "First Senior County Title". St Eunan's GAA. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  4. ^ "McGettigan faces long ban after Donegal row". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 30 January 1998.
  5. ^ Foley, Cliona (19 September 2002). "Furious Killybegs thrown out of championship". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2002.
  6. ^ Craig, Frank (8 October 2020). "Decision won't have been taken lightly — [Eamon] McGee". Donegal News. p. 50. It's easy to forget now but McGee has experienced similar disappointment where a Donegal SFC final was left in limbo and, in the end, not finished in the same calendar year it began. The 2002 SFC in the county was held up due to a spat between the Ardara and St Eunan's clubs over a saga that will forever be recalled as the Eddie Brennan affair. The final, between the Letterkenny men and Gaoth Dobhair, was eventually settled in February of 2003 with McGee and the Magheragallon side coming out on top… 'I've three medals at home [2006 and 2018] but one of them, in my mind at least, that is a wee bit tainted'.
  7. ^ "Verdict on GAA doesn't consider all the evidence". Sunday Independent. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008. We might profitably have a look at the kind of club Termon is. For a start, it's one of the smallest if not the smallest in Donegal. It's the kind of place you'd expect to produce, at a pinch, a decent junior team.
  8. ^ "Two final meetings that shaped strands of history". Donegal Democrat. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Naomh Conaill's adventure continues with Coalisland test". Donegal Democrat. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  10. ^ Craig, Frank (19 August 2021). "County final saga set to rumble on!". Donegal News. p. 72. The Towney outfit's appeal was lodged with the Donegal GAA's Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) on Tuesday evening.
  11. ^ "Kilcar 'shocked and appalled' as 2020 final saga closes". RTÉ Sport. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  12. ^ Gartland, Niall (17 March 2022). "New Kilcar boss Cunningham has his eyes on the road ahead". Donegal News. p. 67. Naomh Conaill were allowed to keep their title even though they were fined for fielding too many substitutes in their penalty shoot-out win last October, a decision which Kilcar grudgingly accepted even though it clearly rankled with the club.
  13. ^ "New SFC format". Hogan Stand. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  14. ^ McNulty, Chris (31 July 2014). "CCC confirm groups stages will remain in 2014 Donegal senior championship". Donegal News. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  15. ^ Keys, Colm (13 December 2010). "Kernan red card spurs on Cross'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  16. ^ Foley, Alan (2 December 2013). "Ballinderry's 12-year wait is over". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  17. ^ Mooney, Francis (2 December 2018). "Gaoth Dobhair edge out Scotstown in extra-time to win historic Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  18. ^ "A brief History of Gaoth Dobhair GAA club". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d Walsh, Harry (15 October 2015). "1990: Naomh Columba end twelve year jinx". Donegal News. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  20. ^ Campbell, Peter (15 July 2008). "Donegal heroes of 1983". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Killybegs 1991, one of the greatest Donegal teams". 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016. 'We had gone into the [1991] final as the hot favourites but Red Hugh's had a very good team at the time and they were very unlucky not to win a championship in those years', said Jimmy White, who had taken over from John Joe O'Shea at the beginning of 1991. Kerryman John Joe O'Shea, a teacher at Killybegs Vocational School, had masterminded the 1988 success after a number of years of great success at underage level. 'I [White] was just thinking the other day how things have changed since 1991, when you look at the large numbers in managements and backroom teams nowadays. 'In '91, I was player manager. I had no selectors and Michael Gallagher trained the team'.
  22. ^ "Cluiche Ceannais Peil Dhún na nGall 1990" (PDF). 23 September 1990.
  23. ^ McNulty, Chris (1 April 2020). "Regrets, I've had a few — The life and times of Marty Carlin". Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  24. ^ Craig, Frank (30 April 2020). "A Grand Old Team To Play For: When the boys from Killybegs battled to the Ulster decider". Donegal News. pp. 52–3. Also published in Gaelic Life.
  25. ^ Moran, Sean (9 July 1997). "[P. J.] McGowan calls it a day with Donegal". The Irish Times. Speculation as to [McGowan's] successor has already begun… Selectors from '92, Seamus Bonner and Micahel[sic] Lafferty have also been mentioned, as has Padraig[sic] McShea, a close associate and former playing colleague of McEniff's, who impressed when coaching Killybegs to a county title last year.
  26. ^ "DONEGAL SFC FINAL: Masters marvels". Irish Independent. 13 October 2003. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2003.
  27. ^ a b "DONEGAL SFC: Brilliant Boyle is Ardara ace". Irish Independent. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 4 October 2004. It was the perfect result for Ardara manager John McConnell, who was county chairman the last time his club won in 2000. On that occasion, he handed the Dr Maguire Cup to Eamon Doherty.
  28. ^ "Historic first title for Naomh Conaill". Irish Independent. 10 October 2005. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013.
  29. ^ "Gweedore cash in as smash and grab raid sinks Eunan's". Irish Independent. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013.
  30. ^ "Final glory at last for Eunan's as Glenswilly fail on their big day". Irish Independent. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
  31. ^ Comack, Tom (26 November 2008). "All County League Division 1A final Double chasing St. Eunan's face Naomh Conaill". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2008. And having written their own piece of club history last month when they won back-to-back championship crowns for the first time, the team of 2008 are also chasing a league and championship double for the second year in-a-row.
  32. ^ "Kavanagh, Haran set up Eunan's". Irish Independent. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013.
  33. ^ "All too easy for Eunan's". Irish Independent. 5 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  34. ^ "McLoone proves too hot". Irish Independent. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  35. ^ "Murphy is the star as Glenswilly triumph". The Irish Times. 2 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  36. ^ "Murphy magic proves key as Glenswilly secure first Donegal crown". Irish Independent. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  37. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's survive storm". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  38. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  39. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Murphy delivers man-of-the-match display". Hogan Stand. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Glenswilly are Dunne and dusted". Hogan Stand. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  41. ^ "St Eunan's champions again in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  42. ^ Foley, Alan (19 October 2015). "Gutsy Naomh Conaill edge to glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  43. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Murphy leads by example". Hogan Stand. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  44. ^ McNulty, Chris (15 October 2017). "End result all that matters for Kilcar after final win over Naomh Conaill". Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  45. ^ Campbell, Peter (21 October 2018). "Gaoth Dobhair end 12 years of pain with dominant display". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018.
  46. ^ GAME 1: Campbell, Peter (20 October 2019). "Ulster champions Gaoth Dobhair face Donegal decider replay after draw against Naomh Conaill". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2019. GAME 2: O'Kane, Cahair (28 October 2019). "Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill proving inseparable". The Irish News. Retrieved 28 October 2019. GAME 3: Campbell, Peter (30 October 2019). "Naomh Conaill prevail in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  47. ^ Campbell, Peter (14 August 2021). "Naomh Conaill claim Donegal title after penalty shoot-out win against Kilcar". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  48. ^ Campbell, Peter (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  49. ^ Foley, Alan (15 October 2022). "Controversy as Naomh Conaill crowned Donegal kings against 14-man St Eunan's: Shane O'Donnell's sending off was the major talking point after Naomh Conaill's one-point win". The42.ie. Retrieved 15 October 2022. O'Donnell followed that up with a pat on Mac Ceallabhuí and, to the surprise of everyone in MacCumhaill Park, was sent off by referee Mark Dorrian.
  50. ^ "Naomh Conaill edge 14-man St Eunan's to regain Donegal SFC title". RTÉ Sport. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022. Naomh Conaill captain Kevin McGettigan paid tribute to the people of Creeslough just before he lifted the Dr Maguire Cup…
  51. ^ "Naomh Conaill win Donegal SFC title after narrow victory over St Eunan's". The Irish Times. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022. It was level when St Eunan's midfielder Kevin Kealy prodded to the net in the 50th minute, but man of the match Thompson slammed over immediately as if to throw down a marker.
  52. ^ Campbell, Peter (22 October 2023). "Magnificent seven for Naomh Conaill in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Saturday's live sport on Ocean FM". Ocean FM. 29 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  54. ^ McNulty, Chris (24 September 2019). "Two Donegal SFC quarter-finals set for live TV coverage". Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  55. ^ "From Sam Maguire to Dr Maguire – St Eunan's and Naomh Conaill do battle in County Final". 4 November 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012. A huge crowd is expected at MacCumhaill Park at a time when Gaelic games in the county have never had a higher profile. Nothing beats being there, as the GAA slogan goes, but for the neutrals who can't be in Ballybofey, the game is live on TG4 from throw-in at 4pm.
  56. ^ Foley, Alan (19 November 2017). "Mark McHugh honoured to win the Séamus Mac Géidigh Award". Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  57. ^ a b c "Brendan McDyer to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2022". 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  58. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Michael Murphy". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  59. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Mark McHugh". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  60. ^ "McHugh named Donegal's best club footballer". Hogan Stand. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  61. ^ Walsh, Harry (15 November 2017). "Mark McHugh to receive 2017 Séamus Mac Géidigh Award". Donegal News. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  62. ^ "Odhrán Mac Niallais to receive 2018 Séamus Mac Géidigh Award". Highland Radio. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  63. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Chiarán Thompson". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  64. ^ a b "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh for St Eunan's Caolan Ward". Donegal GAA. This is the first time the award has been presented since 2019 due to the pandemic. Cathal Mac Grianna will present Caolan with the award at St Eunan's Annual Dinner Dance on Friday.
  65. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Brendan McDyre". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  66. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh le bronnadh ar Oisín Gallen". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
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