Donegal Senior Football Championship

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

Donegal Senior Football Championship
Current season or competition:
2020 Donegal Senior Football Championship
IrishCraobh Peil Sinsear Dhún na nGall
Founded1920
Title holdersNaomh Conaill (4th title)
Most titlesGaoth Dobhair (15 titles)
SponsorsRTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Initially a straight knock-out competition, the Donegal SFC added a round-robin group stage in 2013. The winning club qualify to represent their 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 final is played at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey.

The winning club receive the Dr Maguire Cup. The competition has been won by 17 clubs, 14 of which have won it more than once. Gaoth Dobhair are the most successful club, with 15 titles. The most recent team to win the competition for the first time is Glenswilly (2011, followed by 2013 and 2016). Naomh Conaill are the reigning champions, having beaten Gaoth Dobhair in the 2019 final (which required two replays).

History

The 1997 Donegal SFC descended into controversy when Naomh Adhamhnáin, having beaten Aodh Ruadh in the final by a scoreline of 1–11 to 2–7, had the title stripped from them — after St Eunan's fielded an illegal player.[1] However, most GAA folk believe to this day that it was Eunan's's title. The affair made the national press and its effects continued for many months, into the following year.[2]

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".[3]

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.[4]

Jim McGuinness assisted Naomh Conaill to success in the 2000s before becoming an All-Ireland winning manager with Donegal.[5] 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.[6]

Competition format

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.[7] 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.

Qualification for subsequent competitions

Ulster Senior Club Football Championship

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.[8][9][10]

All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship

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

Results by team
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
2019
2
St Eunan's
Letterkenny
14
 1948, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1983, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014
2015
3
Aodh Ruadh
Ballyshannon
13
 1929, 1932, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1951, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1997, 1998
1999
4
Naomh Iósaef/St Joseph's
Bundoran/Ballyshannon
8
 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
1969
5
An Clochán Liath
An Clochán Liath
7
 1930, 1931, 1933, 1936, 1940, 1957, 1958
1964
6
Na Cealla Beaga
Killybegs
6
 1952, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996
2013
Seán MacCumhaills
Ballybofey and Stranorlar
 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1971, 1977
2004
Cill Chartha
Kilcar
 1925, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1993, 2017
2016
Ard an Rátha
Ardara
 1923, 1926, 1928, 1981, 2000, 2004
1984
7
Naomh Conaill
Glenties
4
 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019
2018
8
Réalt na Mara
Bundoran
3
 1920, 1934, 1979
1935
Glenswilly
Glenswilly
 2011, 2013, 2016
2014
Na Ceithre Máistrí
Donegal
 1982, 1984, 2003
2001
9
Naomh Columba
Glencolmcille
2
 1978, 1990
1998
10
Baile Dhún na nGall
Donegal
1
 1924
1954
Caisleán na Finne
Castlefin
 1922 N/A
Ruagairí Leitir Ceanainn
Letterkenny
 1927
1930

Consecutive winners

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 MacCumhaills (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
Year Winner Opponent Winning Captain Man of the Match
2019 Naomh Conaill 0–08, 1-11, 0-08 Gaoth Dobhair 0–08, 0-14, 0-07 Ciarán Thompson Ethan O'Donnell
2018[11] Gaoth Dobhair 0–17 Naomh Conaill 1–07 Niall Friel Odhrán Mac Niallais
2017[12] Cill Chartha 0–07 Naomh Conaill 0–04 Patrick McBrearty Mark McHugh
2016[13] Glenswilly 1–10 Cill Chartha 0–12 Gary McFadden Michael Murphy
2015[14] Naomh Conaill 0–11 St Eunan's 0–10 Leo McLoone Leo McLoone
2014[15][16] St Eunan's 0–09 Glenswilly 0–06 Rory Kavanagh John Haran
2013[17] Glenswilly 3–19 Na Cealla Beaga 2–06 James Pat McDaid Michael Murphy
2012[18][19] St Eunan's 1–07 Naomh Conaill 0–09 Mick Martin Dara Gallagher
2011[20][21] Glenswilly 1–08 Naomh Mícheál 0–09 Gary McFadden Michael Murphy
2010[22] Naomh Conaill 1–15 Na Cealla Beaga 0–08 Anthony Thompson Leo McLoone
2009[23] St Eunan's 0–13 Naomh Conaill 0–07 Brendan Devenney Ciaran Greene
2008[24][25] St Eunan's 2–13 Termon 1–08 John Haran ??
2007[26] St Eunan's 0–12 Glenswilly 1–03 ??
2006[27] Gaoth Dobhair 1–05 St Eunan's 0–06 James Gallagher Eamon McGee
2005[28] Naomh Conaill 1–05, 0–10 (R) St Eunan's 0–08, 1–05 (R) Paddy Campbell
2004[29] Ard an Rátha 1–09 Seán MacCumhaills 0–04 Brendan Boyle
2003[30] Four Masters 0–15 Termon 0–09 ??
2002 Gaoth Dobhair 1–11 St Eunan's 0–10 ??
2001 St Eunan's 1–10 Four Masters 0–08 ??
2000 Ard an Rátha 1–09 St Eunan's 0–07 Michael Doherty
1999 St Eunan's 1–19 Aodh Ruadh 1–11 Brendan Devenney
1998 Aodh Ruadh 1–11 Naomh Columba 0–11 Val Murray Michael "Sticky" Ward
1997 St Eunan's 1–11 Aodh Ruadh 2–07 Charlie O'Donnell
1996 Na Cealla Beaga 1–08 Naomh Columba 1–07 Barry McGowan David Meehan
1995 Na Cealla Beaga 0–10 Naomh Columba 1-06 John Cunningham
1994 Aodh Ruadh 2–10 Naomh Columba 1–10 Sylvester Maguire
1993 Cill Chartha 0–12 Na Cealla Beaga 0–10 ??
1992 Na Cealla Beaga 0–12 Naomh Columba 0–09 ??
1991[31] Na Cealla Beaga 2–07 Red Hughs 0–11 Denis Carberry[32]
1990 Naomh Columba 0–10 Na Cealla Beaga 0–09 John Joe Doherty Séamus Carr
1989 Cill Chartha 1–09 Aodh Ruadh 0–09 ??
1988 Na Cealla Beaga 2–10 Cill Chartha 2–08 Barry Cunningham Michael Campbell
1987 Aodh Ruadh 2–10 Cill Chartha 1–07 Brian Tuohy
1986 Aodh Ruadh 1–08 Red Hughs 0-05 Tommy McDermott
1985 Cill Chartha 0–09 Four Masters 0–07
1984 Four Masters 0–09 Ard an Rátha 1–02
1983 St Eunan's 0–08 Ard an Rátha 0–03
1982 Four Masters 1–04 Cill Chartha 0–06
1981 Ard an Rátha 1–07 Four Masters 0–06
1980 Cill Chartha 1–13 Ard an Rátha 0–08 Michael Carr[33]
1979 Réalt na Mara 0–09 Seán MacCumhaills 1–05
1978 Naomh Columba 1–12 Gaoth Dobhair 0–10
1977 Seán MacCumhaills 0–08 Gaoth Dobhair 0–05
1976 St Joseph's 1–13 Four Masters 0–05
1975 St Joseph's 1–11 Seán MacCumhaills 1–05
1974 St Joseph's 1–08 St Eunan's 1–03
1973 St Joseph's 1–08 Seán MacCumhaills 1–06
1972 St Eunan's 2–12 Clanna Gael 1–08
1971 Seán MacCumhaills 2–10 St Joseph's 0–11
1970 St Joseph's 1–16 St Eunan's 0–04
1969 St Eunan's 0–10 St Joseph's 1–04
1968 St Joseph's 1–10 Seán MacCumhaills 0–05
1967 St Eunan's 1–13 St Joseph's 1–09
1966 No Final
1965 St Joseph's 1–11 Glenties 0–10
1964 Seán MacCumhaills 1–11 An Clochán Liath 1–03
1963 Seán MacCumhaills 1–06 Cill Chartha 0–04
1962 Seán MacCumhaills 1–09 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07
1961 Gaoth Dobhair 2–05 An Clochán Liath 0–06
1960 St Eunan's 0–11 Gaoth Dobhair 0–03
1959 Seán MacCumhaills 2–07 Cill Chartha 1–06
1958 An Clochán Liath 2–06 St Eunan's 2–05
1957 An Clochán Liath 0–12 Ballyshannon 1–04
1956 St Eunan's 0–08 Ballyshannon 1–02
1955 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07 St Eunan's 1–04
1954 Gaoth Dobhair 3–06 Dún na nGall 0–05
1953 Gaoth Dobhair 1–05 Carndonagh 1–04
1952 Na Cealla Beaga 0–09 St Eunan's 1–05
1951 Ballyshannon 1–06 Dún na nGall 1–05
1950 No Final
1949 Gaoth Dobhair 2–12 St Eunan's 3–04
1948 St Eunan's 1–07 Gaoth Dobhair 2–01
1947 Gaoth Dobhair 1–09 St Eunan's 0–03
1946 Gaoth Dobhair 0–07 St Eunan's 0–06
1945 Gaoth Dobhair 4–05 Ballyshannon 1–06
1944 Gaoth Dobhair 4–10 St Eunan's 3–04
1943 Ballyshannon 1–09 Convoy 2–01
1942 Ballyshannon 2–08 Glenties 1–04
1941 Gaoth Dobhair 0–10 Glenties 2–03
1940 An Clochán Liath 3–08 Ballyshannon 1–03
1939 Ballyshannon 0–06 Gaoth Dobhair 0–04
1938 Gaoth Dobhair 1–07 Ard an Rátha 0–05
1937 Ballyshannon 3–08 Gaoth Dobhair 4–02
1936 An Clochán Liath 2–08 Ard an Rátha 2–02
1935[34] Gaoth Dobhair 1–08 Réalt na Mara 0–03
1934 Réalt na Mara 1–05 An Clochán Liath 0–04
1933 An Clochán Liath 3–02 Réalt na Mara 1–03
1932 Ballyshannon 1–07 Dungloe 0–01
1931 An Clochán Liath 2–04 Ballybofey 2–02
1930 An Clochán Liath 3–02 Letterkenny 2–03
1929 Ballyshannon 0–07 Killygordon 0–05
1928 Ard an Rátha 1–04 Killygordon 0–03
1927 Letterkenny Rovers
1926 Ard an Rátha 0–05 Letterkenny Rovers 0–02
1925 Cill Chartha
1924 Dún na nGall 3–02 Dungloe 1–04
1923 Ard an Rátha 0–03 Ballybofey 0–01
1922 Castlefin (by 3 points) Glenties
1921 No Final
1920 Réalt na Mara 2–04 Killygordon 1–02

Media coverage

Domestic

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.[35]

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

Abroad

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.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann began showing the Donegal SFC to English-language viewers on television in 2019.[36]

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.[37]

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

A player of the year award has been given since 2016. Its title commemorates the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster Séamus Mac Géidigh.

Year Player Club
2019[38] Ciarán Thompson Naomh Conaill
2018[39] Odhrán Mac Niallais Gaoth Dobhair
2017[40] Mark McHugh Cill Chartha
2016[41] Michael Murphy Glenswilly
gollark: ++choose 1 1 2
gollark: ++choose 1 1 2
gollark: ++choose 1 1 2
gollark: ++choose 1 1 2
gollark: ++choose 1 1 2

References
  1. "First Senior County Title". St Eunan's website. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  2. "McGettigan faces long ban after Donegal row". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 30 January 1998.
  3. Foley, Cliona (19 September 2002). "Furious Killybegs thrown out of championship". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2002.
  4. "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.
  5. "Two final meetings that shaped strands of history". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  6. "Naomh Conaill's adventure continues with Coalisland test". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  7. "New SFC format". Hogan Stand. 8 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  8. Keys, Colm (13 December 2010). "Kernan red card spurs on Cross'". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  9. Foley, Alan (2 December 2013). "Ballinderry's 12-year wait is over". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  10. Mooney, Francis (2 December 2018). "Gaoth Dobhair edge out Scotstown in extra-time to win historic Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  11. Campbell, Peter (21 October 2018). "Gaoth Dobhair end 12 years of pain with dominant display". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018.
  12. "End result all that matters for Kilcar after final win over Naomh Conaill - Donegal Sport Hub". Donegal Sport Hub. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  13. "Donegal SFC final: Murphy leads by example". Hogan Stand. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  14. Foley, Alan (19 October 2015). "Gutsy Naomh Conaill edge to glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  15. "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.
  16. "St Eunan's champions again in Donegal". RTÉ. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  17. "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.
  18. Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's survive storm". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  19. Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  20. "Murphy is the star as Glenswilly triumph". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 2 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  21. "Murphy magic proves key as Glenswilly secure first Donegal crown". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  22. "McLoone proves too hot". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  23. "All too easy for Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 5 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  24. Comack, Tom (26 November 2008). "All County League Division 1A final Double chasing St. Eunan's face Naomh Conaill". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 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.
  25. "Kavanagh, Haran set up Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013.
  26. "Final glory at last for Eunan's as Glenswilly fail on their big day". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
  27. "Gweedore cash in as smash and grab raid sinks Eunan's". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013.
  28. "Historic first title for Naomh Conaill". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 10 October 2005. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013.
  29. "DONEGAL SFC : Brilliant Boyle is Ardara ace". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 4 October 2004.
  30. "DONEGAL SFC FINAL : Masters marvels". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 13 October 2003. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2003.
  31. McNulty, Chris (1 April 2020). "Regrets, I've had a few — The life and times of Marty Carlin". Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  32. Craig, Frank (30 April 2020). "A Grand Old Team To Play For: When the boys from Killybegs battled to the Ulster decider". Donegal News. p. 52–3. Also published in Gaelic Life.
  33. Campbell, Peter (15 July 2008). "Donegal heroes of 1983". Donegal Democrat. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  34. "A brief History of Gaoth Dobhair GAA club". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  35. "Saturday's live sport on Ocean FM". Ocean FM. 29 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  36. McNulty, Chris (24 September 2019). "Two Donegal SFC quarter-finals set for live TV coverage". Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  37. "From Sam Maguire to Dr Maguire – St Eunan's and Naomh Conaill do battle in County Final". Donegal Daily. 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.
  38. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Chiarán Thompson". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  39. "Odhrán Mac Niallais to receive 2018 Séamus Mac Géidigh Award". Highland Radio. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  40. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Mark McHugh". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  41. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Michael Murphy". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
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