2021 Donegal county football team season

Donegal county football team

2021 season
Manager	Declan Bonner
Stadium	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D1	Semi-finalist
All-Ireland SFC	Did not compete
Ulster SFC	Semi-finalist
←  2020 2022  →

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2021 season.

Personnel changes

Paul Fisher departed as strength and conditioning coach and Antoin McFadden replaced him. ^{[1] [2]} Karl Lacey also departed from the management team. ^[3] James Gallagher returned as goalkeeping coach (his second time in that role), ^{[1] [4]} replacing Andrew McGovern. ^[5]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

There was no McKenna Cup in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games. ^[6]

National Football League Division 1 North

Main article: 2021 National Football League (Ireland)

The 2021 competition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[7]

Donegal qualified for the semi-finals. ^[8]

Table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Donegal	3	1	2	0	38	36	+2	4	Advance to NFL semi-finals
2	Tyrone	3	1	1	1	37	34	+3	3
3	Armagh	3	1	1	1	35	36	−1	3	Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 2
4	Monaghan	3	0	2	1	35	39	−4	2

Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2021. Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Fixtures

Tyrone v Donegal

15 May 2021Round 1	Tyrone	0-16 (16)–(18) 0-18	Donegal	Omagh
17:00				Venue: Healy Park
		Report		Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

Donegal v Monaghan

22 May 2021Round 2	Donegal	1–20 (23)–(23) 4–11	Monaghan	Ballybofey
17:00				Venue: MacCumhaill Park
		Report		Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)

Armagh v Donegal

29 May 2021Round 3	Armagh	1-16 (19)–(19) 1-16	Donegal	Armagh
19:30				Venue: Athletic Grounds
		Report		Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

Donegal v Dublin

12 June 2021Semi-Final	Donegal	1-14 (17)–(21) 1-18	Dublin	Cavan
19:15				Venue: Kingspan Breffni Park
		Report		Referee: Ciaran Brannigan (Down)

Ulster Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship

The draw for the 2021 Ulster Championship was made on 22 April 2021. ^{[9] [10]}

Bracket

	Preliminary round					Quarter-finals					Semi-finals					Final
						Armagh		4-15
						Antrim		0-14
											Armagh		2-21
											Monaghan		4-17
						Monaghan		1-21
						Fermanagh		0-14
																Monaghan		0-15
																Tyrone		0-16
						Tyrone		1-18
						Cavan		0-13
											Tyrone		0-23
											Donegal		1-14
						Derry		0-15
	Down		1-12			Donegal		0-16
	Donegal		2-25

Fixtures

27 June 2021

19:00

Preliminary Round

Down	1-12 - 2-25	Donegal
Caolan Mooney (1-0), Barry O’Hagan (0-8), Liam Kerr (0-2), James Guinness (0-1), Darren O’Hagan (0-1)	Report	Patrick McBrearty (1-6), Jamie Brennan (1-1), Ryan McHugh (0-4), Michael Langan (0-4), Peadar Mogan (0-3), Michael Murphy (0-2), Ciaran Thompson (0-1), Niall O’Donnell (0-1), Eoin McHugh (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-1), Ethan O’Donnell (0-1)

Pairc Esler, Newry

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

11 July 2021 16:00 Quarter-final	Donegal	0-16 - 0-15	Derry	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey Attendance: 0 [note 1] Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)
	Paddy McBrearty (0-2f), Michael Langan and Niall O’Donnell 0-3 each, Caolan McGonagle, Jamie Brennan and Michael Murphy (0-2f) 0-2 each, Paul Brennan 0-1.	Report	Shane McGuigan 0-4 (0-2f), Ciaran McFaul 0-3, Benny Heron 0-2, Padraig Cassidy, Gareth McKinless, Conor Doherty, Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley and Niall Loughlin 0-1 each.

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18 July 2021 13:45 IST (UTC+1) Semi-final	Tyrone	0-23 - 1-14	Donegal	Brewster Park, Enniskillen Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
	Darren McCurry (0-7, 3 frees), Kieran McGeary, Niall Sludden, Tiernan McCann (0-3 each), Mattie Donnelly (0-2), Peter Harte, Conor Meyler, Conor McKenna, Frank Burns (0-1 each), Cathal McShane (0-1 free)	Report	Paddy McBrearty (0-4, 2 frees), Caolan McGonigle (1-0), Jamie Brennan, Niall O’Donnell (0-2 each), Michael Langan (0-2, 1 free), Michael Murphy (0-2 frees), Ciaran Thompson, Peader Mogan (0-1 each)

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All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2021 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, there was no back-door route into the All-Ireland Championship. Therefore, because Donegal did not win the Ulster Championship, they did not qualify for the 2021 All-Ireland Championship.

Management team

Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted: ^[5]

• Manager: Declan Bonner
• Assistant manager: Paul McGonigle, ^[11] not listed among November 2017 appointments
• Head coach: John McElholm ^[5]
• Coach: Gary Boyle ^[11]
• Selector: Stephen Rochford, ^[11] replacing Karl Lacey after 2018 season ^[12] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020 ^[13]
• Goalkeeping coach: James Gallagher, after 2020 season ^{[1] [4]} replacing Andrew McGovern ^[5]
• Strength and conditioning coach: Antoin McFadden, who after 2020 season, ^[1] replaced Paul Fisher ^[14]
• Nutritionist: Ronan Doherty ^[5]
• Team physician: Kevin Moran ^[15]
• Physio: Cathal Ellis ^[15]
• Psychology and performance manager: Anthony McGrath, ^[5] previously involved with the minor team ^[16]
• Video analysis: Chris Byrne ^[5]
• Logistics: Packie McDyre ^[5]
• Kitman: Barry McBride ^[5]

Awards

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

• 17 May: Shaun Patton, Neil McGee, Michael Murphy ^[17]
• 24 May: Michael Langan ^[18]
• 31 May: Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty (McBrearty voted Footballer of the Week) ^{[19] [20]}
• 28 June: Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty ^{[21] [22]}
• 12 July: Caolan McGonagle, Niall O'Donnell ^[23]
• 19 July: Eoghan Bán Gallagher ^[24]

All Stars

One nomination, for Michael Langan ^{[25] [26]}

Notes

1. The game was played behind closed doors due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.

References

1. "Bonner makes additions to Donegal backroom team". Donegal News . 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
2. 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.
3. "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC Sport. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
4. Ferry, Ryan (9 November 2023). "Gallagher to return as goalkeeping coach". Donegal News . p. 72. James Gallagher is set for a third stint as the goalkeeping coach with the Donegal senior football team. Gallagher, pictured right, was previously involved during Rory Gallagher's time in charge, while he also worked with the netminders during Declan Bonner's last seasons at the helm. The Meenlaragh native was not involved in 2023 with Declan McIntyre taking on the role. However, Gallagher has been coaxed back by Jim McGuinness… [Gallagher] has previous experience of working with [Donegal goalkeeper] Shaun Patton… [Gallagher] donned the gloves for Glenswilly Gaelic football team during their 2016 Championship success.
5. "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
6. "GAA fixture calendar for 2021 revealed". Impartial Reporter. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
7. Fogarty, John (27 January 2021). "What will the delayed GAA season look like? Here are four possible scenarios". Irish Examiner . Retrieved 27 January 2021.
8. Doyle, Garry (29 May 2021). "Donegal and Tyrone secure semi-final slots after dramatic shift in fortunes: Armagh and Monaghan are in relegation play-offs following comebacks from their Ulster rivals in tonight's NFL games". The42.ie . Retrieved 29 May 2021.
9. "2021 GAA Football and Hurling Championship Draws: Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster pairings decided". Sky Sports. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
10. "Ulster SFC: Reigning champions Cavan draw Tyrone in quarter-finals". BBC. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
11. 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.
12. "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.
13. "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News . Retrieved 1 August 2014.
17. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
18. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
19. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
20. "Paddy McBrearty voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
21. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
22. "McHugh and McBrearty on GAA Team of Week". Donegal News . 1 July 2021. p. 93. The GAA revealed their picks for their Football Team of the Week yesterday, and included are Donegal and Kilcar pair Ryan McHugh and Patrick McBrearty. McHugh delivered a man of the match performance in Donegal's annihilation of Down last weekend, kicking four points from defence. Up top, McBrearty was chief tormentor and booted 1–6 against the Mourne men.
23. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
24. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
25. "Champions Tyrone lead the way in All-Star nominations". RTÉ Sport. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
26. "Langan only Donegal player nominated for GAA All-Star". 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.

External links

• Matchday programmes released online for games played during the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • NFL Division 1 North v Monaghan
  • Ulster semi-final v Tyrone
  • Ulster minor final