2019 Donegal county football team season

Donegal county football team

2019 season
Manager	Declan Bonner
Stadium	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D2	2nd (promoted)
All-Ireland SFC	Quarter-finalist
Ulster SFC	Winners
Dr McKenna Cup	Semi-finalist
←  2018 2020  →

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2019 season.

Two players started all 18 matches in 2019: these were Jamie Brennan and Hugh McFadden. Niall O'Donnell played each match too, though only as a substitute in the championship meeting with Fermanagh. Paul Brennan only missed one of the eighteen games, though he began just five of these. Jason McGee played in all matches except for the 2019 National Football League fixture with Cork, which he missed due to suspension. ^[1]

Personnel changes

Oisín Gallen became an "impact sub" during the championship; this was despite him not being part of the Donegal panel at the start of the 2019 season. He was called up over the course of the McKenna Cup as Donegal were short on numbers. ^[1]

Aaron Doherty began training with the panel in April, shortly after Eoghan McGettigan joined. ^[2]

Cian Mulligan opted to depart from the panel. ^[3] Conor Morrison played six games in the 2019 season before deciding to depart in March. ^[3] In March, Martin McElhinney informed the team manager of his decision to withdraw from the panel, following the team's victory against Armagh in the 2019 National Football League. McElhinney had been an unused substitute in that game and the game before, though he had played in three earlier games of that year's league. ^[4] In April, Martin O'Reilly withdrew from the panel ahead of the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship after experiencing limited match time during the 2019 National Football League. ^[5]

Also opting to depart for the 2019 season were Kilcar trio Mark McHugh, Ciaran McGinley and Stephen McBrearty. ^[6] Following the death of a clubmate in a car accident in January 2019, Odhrán Mac Niallais opted out of the Donegal panel. ^[7]

Michael Carroll returned to the panel after leaving the previous year. ^[8]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

Main article: 2019 Dr McKenna Cup

The 2019 season started with a 0–21 to 0–11 defeat of Queen's in the 2019 Dr McKenna Cup at MacCumhail Park on 30 December 2018. Ciarán Thompson was man of the match and scored four of Donegal's points. ^[1]

Donegal qualified for the semi-final.

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PR	Pts	Qualification
1	Donegal	3	3	0	0	64	36	1.778	6	Advance to semi-final
2	Cavan	3	2	0	1	45	38	1.184	4
3	Down	3	1	0	2	52	41	1.268	2
4	Queen's University	3	0	0	3	22	68	0.324	0

Updated to match(es) played on 9 January 2019. Source: Ulster GAA

Fixtures

Donegal v Queen's University

30 December 2018 (2018-12-30)Round 1	Donegal	0-21 (21)–(11) 0-11	Queen's University	Ballybofey
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Páirc MacCumhaill
		Report		Referee: Niall McKenna

Down v Donegal

6 January 2019 (2019-01-06)Round 2	Down	0-10 (10)–(20) 1-17	Donegal	Newry
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Páirc Esler
		Report

Donegal v Cavan

9 January 2019 (2019-01-09)Round 3	Donegal	1-20 (23)–(15) 1-12	Cavan	Ballybofey
20:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Páirc MacCumhaill

Donegal v Armagh

13 January 2019 (2019-01-13) 14:00 GMT (UTC±0) Semi-Final 1

Report

Donegal	1-10 (13)–(14) 0-14	Armagh
(HT: 1-05 – 0-09)

Healy Park , Omagh Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)

National Football League Division 2

Main article: 2019 National Football League (Ireland)

Neil McGee equalled Colm McFadden's record of 173 appearances for Donegal when he came on as a second half substitute in the final round of the 2019 National Football League, a victory over Kildare. ^[9] He then broke McFadden's record with his 174th appearance for his county against Meath as a substitute in the final at Croke Park, also won by Donegal. ^[10]

Donegal qualified for the Division 2 final, and won the game.

Table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Meath	7	6	0	1	111	84	+27	12	Advance to Division 2 Final
2	Donegal	7	5	0	2	112	94	+18	10
3	Fermanagh	7	3	2	2	69	74	−5	8
4	Kildare	7	3	1	3	87	93	−6	7
5	Armagh	7	2	2	3	101	97	+4	6
6	Clare	7	2	1	4	107	113	−6	5
7	Cork	7	2	1	4	91	112	−21	5	Relegation to Division 3
8	Tipperary	7	1	1	5	99	110	−11	3

Updated to match(es) played on 1 April 2019. Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: 1) League points; 2) Where two teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the League; 3) Score difference – subtracting the total scores against from the scores for; 4) Highest total score for; 5) Highest total goals for; 6) A play-off.

Fixtures

Clare v Donegal

27 January 2019 (2019-01-27)Round 1	Clare	0-13 (13)–(16) 0-16	Donegal	Ennis
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Cusack Park
		Report		Referee: Padraig O'Sullivan (Kerry)

Donegal v Meath

2 February 2019 (2019-02-02)Round 2	Donegal	1-13 (16)–(14) 0-14	Meath	Ballybofey
19:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: MacCumhaill Park
		Report		Referee: Jerome Henry (Meath)

Tipperary v Donegal

10 February 2019 (2019-02-10)Round 3	Tipperary	3-09 (18)–(13) 0-13	Donegal	Thurles
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Semple Stadium
		Report Report

Donegal v Fermanagh

24 February 2019 (2019-02-24)Round 4	Donegal	0-10 (10) – (13) 0-13	Fermanagh	Letterkenny
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: O'Donnell Park
		Report

Donegal v Armagh

2 March 2019 (2019-03-02)Round 5	Donegal	1-09 (12) – (11) 0-11	Armagh	Ballybofey
19:15 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: MacCumhaill Park
		Report

Cork v Donegal

16 March 2019 (2019-03-16)Round 6	Cork	1-12 (15)–(22) 1-19	Donegal	Cork
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Pairc Uí Rinn
		Report

Donegal v Kildare

24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)Round 7	Donegal	1-20 (23) – 0-10 (10)	Kildare	Ballyshannon
14:00 GMT (UTC+0)				Venue: Fr Tierney Park
		Report

Meath v Donegal

TG4

30 March 2019 (2019-03-30) 17:00 IST (UTC+1) Final

Report

Meath	1-15 (18)–(20) 1-17	Donegal

Croke Park , Dublin Referee: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary)

Ulster Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship

Donegal retained the Ulster title.

Bracket

	Preliminary round 12 May 2019					Quarter-finals 18, 19, 25, 26 May 2019					Semi-finals 2 & 8 June 2019					Final 23 June 2019
						Cavan		1-13
						Monaghan		0-12
											Cavan (R)		0-17 0-23
											Armagh (R)		1-14 0-17
						Down		3-13
						Armagh		2-17
																Cavan		2-16
																Donegal		1-24
						Fermanagh		0-09
						Donegal		0-15
											Donegal		1-16
											Tyrone		0-15
						Antrim		2-09
	Tyrone		1-19			Tyrone		2-23
	Derry		1-13

Fixtures

Fermanagh v Donegal

BBC NI

26 May 2019 (2019-05-26) 14:00 IST (UTC+1) Quarter-Final C

Report

Fermanagh	0-09 (09)–(15) 0-15	Donegal
(HT: 0-4 – 0-5)
Pts: Ultan Kelm 2, Conall Jones 2 (2f), Ciaran Corrigan 2, Ryan Jones 1, Seán Quigley 1, Barry Mulrone 1		Pts: Patrick McBrearty 5 (2f), Jamie Brennan 4, Michael Murphy 2, Michael Langan 1, Jason McGee 1, Leo McLoone 1, Ciarán Thompson 1

Brewster Park , Enniskillen Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

Donegal v Tyrone

RTÉ BBC NI Deferred

8 June 2019 (2019-06-08) 17:00 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final 2

Report

Donegal	1-16 (19)–(15) 0-15	Tyrone
(HT: 1-9 – 0-5)
Gls: Jamie Brennan 1 Pts: Michael Murphy 5 (2f, 1 '45'), Jamie Brennan 3, Patrick McBrearty 3 (1f), Ryan McHugh 1, Michael Langan 1, Eoin McHugh 1, Hugh McFadden 1, Stephen McMenamin 1		Pts: Cathal McShane 4 (3f), Darren McCurry 3 (1f), Richard Donnelly 2, Kieran McGeary 2, Niall Morgan 2 (1f, 1 '45'), Michael Cassidy 1, Mattie Donnelly 1

Breffni Park , Cavan Referee: David Gough (Meath)

Cavan v Donegal

RTÉ BBC NI

23 June 2019 (2019-06-23) 14:00 IST (UTC+1) Final

Report

Cavan	2-16 (22)–(27) 1-24	Donegal
(HT: 0-5 – 0-13)
Gls: Conor Madden 1, Stephen Murray 1 Pts: Gearoid McKiernan 6 (2f), Dara McVeety 3, Conor Moynagh 1, Conor Brady 1, Oisin Pierson 1, Conor Madden 1, Cian Mackey 1, Caoimhin O'Reilly 1, Jack Brady 1		Gls: Jamie Brennan 1 Pts: Patrick McBrearty 5 (1f), Jamie Brennan 4, Michael Murphy 4 (2f), Jason McGee 2, Ciarán Thompson 2, Ryan McHugh 1, Eoghan Bán Gallagher 1, Hugh McFadden 1, Niall O'Donnell 1, Michael Langan 1, Daire Ó Baoill 1, Oisín Gallen 1

St Tiernach's Park , Clones Referee: Conor Lane (Cork) Attendance: 28,780

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Quarter-finals Group 1 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Kerry	3	2	1	0	72	54	+18	5	Advance to semi-finals
2	Mayo	3	2	0	1	55	52	+3	4
3	Donegal	3	1	1	1	61	56	+5	3
4	Meath	3	0	0	3	46	72	−26	0

Updated to match(es) played on 3 August 2019. Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}

Fixtures

Donegal v Meath

14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)Phase 1	Donegal	2-19 (25)–(16) 1-13	Meath	Ballybofey
14:00 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 1-9 – 0-8)		Venue: MacCumhaill Park
	Gls: Patrick McBrearty 1, Oisín Gallen 1 Pts: Patrick McBrearty 6 (2f), Michael Murphy 3 (1 '45'), Jamie Brennan 3, Ryan McHugh 2, Oisín Gallen 1, Niall O'Donnell 1, Michael Langan 1, Jason McGee 1, Eoin McHugh 1	Report	Gls: Mickey Newman 1 (1p) Pts: Bryan McMahon 0-3, Mickey Newman 2 (1f), Cillian O'Sullivan 2, Bryan Menton 2, James Conlon 1, James McEntee 1, Shane McEntee 1, Darragh Campion 1	Referee: Conor Lane (Cork) TV: Sky Sports

Kerry v Donegal

21 July 2019 (2019-07-21)Phase 2	Kerry	1-20 (23)–(23) 1-20	Donegal	Dublin
16:00 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 0-10 – 0-9)		Venue: Croke Park
	Gls: Paul Geaney 1 Pts: Paul Geaney 4, Sean O'Shea 4 (3f), David Clifford 3 (1f), Stephen O’Brien 3, Killian Spillane 3, Tom O’Sullivan 1, Jason Foley 1, Paul Murphy 1	Report	Gls: Michael Murphy 1 (1p) Pts: Michael Murphy 7 (4f), Patrick McBrearty 5 (3f), Ryan McHugh 2, Oisín Gallen 2, Michael Langan 2, Jason McGee 1, Niall O’Donnell 1	Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon) TV: RTÉ

Mayo v Donegal

3 August 2019 (2019-08-03)Phase 3	Mayo	1-14 (17)–(13) 1-10	Donegal	Castlebar
18:00 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 1-7 – 0-4)		Venue: MacHale Park
	Gls: Cillian O’Connor 1 Pts: Cillian O’Connor 4 (4f), Paddy Durcan 3, James Carr 2, Andy Moran 2, Jason Doherty 1, Chris Barrett 1, Kevin McLoughlin 1	Report	Gls: Michael Murphy 1 (1p) Pts: Michael Murphy 4 (2f) Paddy McBrearty 2, Niall O’Donnell 2, Daire Ó Baoill 2	Referee: David Gough (Meath) Attendance: 27,369 TV: Sky Sports

Management team

Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted: ^[11]

• Manager: Declan Bonner
• Assistant manager: Paul McGonigle, ^[12] not listed among November 2017 appointments
• Head coach: John McElholm ^[11]
• Coach: Gary Boyle ^[12]
• Selector: Stephen Rochford, ^[12] replacing Karl Lacey after 2018 season ^[13] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020 ^[14]
• Goalkeeping coach: Andrew McGovern ^[11]
• Strength and conditioning coach: Paul Fisher ^[15]
• Nutritionist: Ronan Doherty ^[11]
• Team physician: Kevin Moran ^[16]
• Physio: Cathal Ellis ^[16]
• Psychology and performance manager: Anthony McGrath, ^[11] previously involved with the minor team ^[17]
• Video analysis: Chris Byrne ^[11]
• Logistics: Packie McDyre ^[11]
• Kitman: Barry McBride ^[11]

Awards

Footballer of the Year

Michael Murphy ^[18]

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

• 28 January: Jason McGee ^[19]
• 25 March: Shaun Patton, Ryan McHugh, Jason McGee ^[20]
• 1 April: Jason McGee, Michael Murphy, Oisín Gallen; ^[21] Murphy nominated for Footballer of the Week ^{[22] [23]}
• 10 June: Stephen McMenamin, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan; ^[24] Murphy nominated for, and selected as, Footballer of the Week ^{[25] [26]}
• 24 June: Hugh McFadden, Jamie Brennan; ^[27] Brennan nominated for, and selected as, Footballer of the Week ^{[28] [29] [30]}
• 15 July: Ryan McHugh, Michael Murphy, Patrick McBrearty; ^[31] McBrearty nominated for Footballer of the Week ^{[32] [33]}
• 22 July: Ryan McHugh, Michael Murphy; ^[34] Murphy nominated for, and selected as, Footballer of the Week ^{[35] [36]}
• 6 August: Daire Ó Baoill, Michael Murphy ^[37]

The Irish News Ulster All Stars

Shaun Patton, Stephen McMenamin, Paddy McGrath, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan and Patrick McBrearty were all included, and Murphy was named Player of the Year. ^[38]

The Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game selected Michael Murphy on its Team of the Year. ^[39]

All Stars

Michael Murphy won an All Star.^{[ citation needed ]} Shaun Patton, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh, Jamie Brennan and Patrick McBrearty were also nominated. ^[40]

Pos.	Player	Team	Appearances
GK	Stephen Cluxton FOTY	Dublin	6
RCB	Michael Fitzsimons	Dublin	2
FB	Ronan McNamee	Tyrone	1
LCB	Tom O'Sullivan	Kerry	1
RWB	Patrick Durcan	Mayo	1
CB	Brian Howard	Dublin	2
LWB	Jack McCaffrey	Dublin	4
MD	Brian Fenton	Dublin	4
MD	David Moran	Kerry	2
RWF	Paul Mannion	Dublin	3
CF	Seán O'Shea	Kerry	1
LWF	Michael Murphy	Donegal	3
RCF	David Clifford	Kerry	2
FF	Cathal McShane	Tyrone	1
LCF	Con O'Callaghan	Dublin	2

County breakdown

• Dublin = 7
• Kerry = 4
• Tyrone = 2
• Mayo = 1
• Donegal = 1

References

1. Ferry, Ryan (9 August 2019). "A–Z of Donegal's 2019 season". Donegal News . pp. 68–9.
2. McNulty, Chris (24 April 2019). "Aaron Doherty joins up with Donegal senior football squad" . Retrieved 24 April 2019. The Naomh Columba man trained with Donegal last night for the first time, Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub can reveal… Bonner has also called up Naomh Conaill forward Eoghan McGettigan. Last week, McGettigan joined the senior ranks for the first time and, like Doherty, is now vying for a place in the Championship plans.
3. Ferry, Ryan (28 November 2019). "Bonner boosted by young guns return". Donegal News . p. 80.
4. McNulty, Chris (6 March 2019). "All-Ireland winner Martin McElhinney pulls out of Donegal panel" . Retrieved 6 March 2019.
5. McNulty, Chris (15 April 2019). "Martin O'Reilly withdraws from Donegal squad" . Retrieved 15 April 2019.
6. Craig, Frank (9 August 2019). "Kilcar lay league marker ahead of championship". Donegal News . p. 65.
7. O'Brien, Kevin (15 April 2019). "MacNiallais: 'I'm not going back. I just have no real interest in football at the minute': The Gaoth Dobhair midfielder won't be involved with Donegal this summer". The42.ie . Retrieved 15 April 2019.
8. McNulty, Chris (13 February 2019). "Micheál Carroll will 'put shoulder to the wheel' for Donegal again in 2019" . Retrieved 13 February 2019.
9. Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport . Retrieved 24 March 2019. Neil McGee was introduced to equal the Donegal appearances record of Colm McFadden on 173.
10. "Record breaking Neil McGee on a memorable night at Croke Park". Highland Radio. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019. The Gaoth Dobhair full back broke the record for Donegal appearances on Saturday as he was launched from the bench in the first half to take to the field for the 174th time in a Donegal shirt…
11. "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
12. McLaughlin, Gerry (22 May 2019). "Paul McGonigle says Donegal are keeping their focus ahead of Fermanagh clash". The Irish News . Retrieved 22 May 2019. Donegal manager Declan Bonner together with assistant manager Paul McGonigle, coach Gary Boyle and selector Stephen Rochford before the McKenna Cup match against Queens at Ballybofey on Sunday December 30, 2018.
13. "Stephen Rochford joins Donegal backroom team after Karl Lacey's departure". BBC. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018. Rochford replaces Karl Lacey, who recently stepped away from the Donegal set up citing family reasons.
14. "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
15. Watters, Andy (15 December 2020). "A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin". The Irish News . Retrieved 15 December 2020. But Paul Fisher, the man who has overseen that programme for the last six years has reluctantly decided that it is time to move on. With a gym to run, a family to support and a Masters to complete, the Letterkenny native has stepped down after playing a vital role in the successes of managers Jim McGuinness, Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner.
16. Craig, Frank (21 November 2020). "Morrison determined to make swift return". Donegal News . Retrieved 21 November 2020. 'But the Donegal medical team were on the ball right away. I'd two missed calls from Cathal Ellis before I even got my phone in my hand… Dr Kevin Moran organised the MRI for the Wednesday… Morrison anticipated bad news and was braced for the confirmation of Donegal physio Cathal Ellis' earlier prognosis.
17. McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News . Retrieved 1 August 2014.
18. "County Awards Night — Saturday November 23rd". 14 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019.
19. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
20. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
21. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
22. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
23. "Diarmuid O'Connor voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
24. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
25. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
26. "Michael Murphy voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
27. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
28. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
29. "Jamie Brennan voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
30. "Jamie Brennan is the GAA's Player of the Week". Highland Radio. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
31. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
32. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
33. "David Clifford voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
34. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
35. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
36. "Michael Murphy voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
37. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
38. McNulty, Chris (13 September 2019). "Murphy is Player of the Year as eight Donegal players get Ulster All-Stars" . Retrieved 13 September 2019.
39. McNulty, Chris (15 September 2019). "Michael Murphy selected in Sunday Game Team of the Year" . Retrieved 15 September 2019.
40. O'Toole, Fintan (27 September 2019). "13 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2019 All-Star football nominations: Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone, Meath, Roscommon, Armagh, Clare, Cavan and Cork also have nominees". The42.ie . Retrieved 27 September 2019.

• "Rampant Donegal set new standard in Ulster", analysis by Martin Clarke for BBC Sport