2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship

Donegal S.F.C.

Season	2023
Champions	Naomh Conaill (7th title)
Relegated	Milford [1]
Winning captain	Ultan Doherty [2]
Man of the Match	Ethan O'Donnell [3]
Winning manager	Martin Regan
← 2022 2024 →

The 2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship was the 101st official edition of Donegal GAA's premier Gaelic football tournament for senior graded clubs in County Donegal. 16 teams competed, with the winner representing Donegal in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.

Naomh Conaill was defending champion after defeating St Eunan's in the 2022 final. Naomh Conaill again advanced to the 2023 final, where the club defeated Gaoth Dobhair to retain the title.

Cloich Cheann Fhaola's home defeat of Milford marked the first time in twelve years that the club had won a senior championship game. ^[4] Two weeks after that, the club defeated Four Masters as well. ^[4]

The competition's top scorer was Oisín Gallen, with 1–56. ^[5]

Team changes

The following teams changed division since the 2022 championship season.

To S.F.C. Promoted from 2022 Donegal I.F.C. An Clochán Liath - (I.F.C. Champions)

From S.F.C. Relegated to 2023 Donegal I.F.C. Réalt na Mara

Quarter-finals

Controversially, there was no seeding used for the draw to determine the quarter-final pairings. ^[4] This resulted in the clubs that had finished in the top four being drawn to play each other. ^[4] Another issue was that two of the quarter-finals were played simultaneously, while the choice of neutral venues for this stage of the championship was also problematic, with certain clubs alleging that they had to travel further than their opponent to arrive at the venue. ^[4]

St Eunan's defeated Aodh Ruadh by 1–13 to 2–5 in Convoy, while Gaoth Dobhair defeated Ard an Rátha by 5–14 to 3–11 in Falcarragh. ^{[6] [7]} Seán Mac Cumhaills had a surprise 1–17 to 1–14 victory against Glenswilly at O'Donnell Park (a game in which Oisín Gallen scored 1–9 of his club's total), while Naomh Conaill defeated Cill Chartha by 4–7 to 0–8 at Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was held in Killybegs on 1 October 2023, following the conclusion of the Naomh Conaill and Cill Chartha quarter-final at Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park. ^[9]

Naomh Conaill and St Eunan's were paired together in one semi-final, in what was a repeat of the 2022 final. ^{[6] [7]} The clubs had previously met in the Round 2 fixture held in Glenties, with that game ending level (0-9 for each). ^[6] Naomh Conaill used 19 players in their semi-final, with 11 of those due to be at least 30 years old by the end of 2023. ^[6]

Gaoth Dobhair and Seán Mac Cumhaills were paired together in the other semi-final. ^{[9] [7]} The clubs had previously met in the Round 1 fixture held at Magheragallon, which Gaoth Dobhair won 1–16 to 0–11. ^[9]

Final

Road to the final

Naomh Conaill [10] Round 1: Na Cealla Beaga 1–5 Naomh Conaill 3–12 Round 2: Naomh Conaill 0–9 St Eunan's 0–9 Round 3: Milford 0–8 Naomh Conaill 1–12 Round 4 Naomh Conaill 0–15 Glenswilly 2–5 Quarter-final: Naomh Conaill 4–7 Cill Chartha 0–9 Semi-final: Naomh Conaill 0–11 St Eunan's 0–9

Gaoth Dobhair [11] Round 1: Gaoth Dobhair 1–16 Seán Mac Cumhaills 0–10 Round 2: Aodh Ruadh 2–8 Gaoth Dobhair 0–9 Round 3: Gaoth Dobhair 1–10 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 0–8 Round 4: An Clochán Liath 0–8 Gaoth Dobhair 0–9 Preliminary quarter-final: An Clochán Liath 1–6 Gaoth Dobhair 0–10 Quarter-final: Ard an Rátha 3–11 Gaoth Dobhair 5–14 Semi-final:

Pre-match

This was the first time the teams had met at this stage of the competition since the 2019 final, when three games were required to determine a winner. While the Naomh Conaill team was much the same, Gaoth Dobhair's team had changed much in that time. ^[12] Ronan Mac Niallais was in his first year as manager of Gaoth Dobhair. ^[13]

Naomh Conaill entered the game as the favourites. ^[6]

Ahead of the game Marty Boyle, Stephen McGrath, Anthony Thompson, Leo McLoone and Eoin Waide were recognised for each making a 100th club championship appearance. ^[14] McGrath finished the seven games with four clean sheets. ^[15]

Match details

Naomh Conaill, making a seventh consecutive appearance in the final, won a seventh title. ^[2] If the two replays required to decide the 2019 title are counted, then the club was playing in its ninth final in seven years. ^[16]

With a half-time lead of seven points, Naomh Conaill had ten different players scoring in the game. ^[2] It was the club's fourth title in five years, meaning that their only championship defeat since the 2018 final was against St Eunan's in the 2021 final. ^[14]

22 October 2023 Final	Naomh Conaill	1–16 — 1–8	Gaoth Dobhair	MacCumhaill Park Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's, Convoy) [2] Man of the Match: Ethan O'Donnell [3]
	Charles McGuinness 1-2; Ciarán Thompson, John O'Malley (2f) 0-3; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí 0-2; Odhran Doherty, Brendan McDyer, Anthony Thompson, Ultan Doherty, Eunan Doherty, Keelan McGill 0-1 each	Report	Fergal Delaney 1-0; Michael Carroll (2f) 0-3; Michéal Roarty, Daire Ó Baoill, Ethan Harkin (f), Kieran Gillespie, Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride 0-1 each

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Ulster Senior Club Football Championship

Main articles: 2023 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship and 2023–24 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship

Naomh Conaill advanced to the 2023 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.

The club was drawn to play Gowna in the quarter-final. ^[17] Naomh Conaill entered the match as favourite and duly delivered victory at Breffni Park, with Gowna conceding a late free which resulted in a goal scored with nearly the last kick of the match. ^[18]

Relegation

Milford lost the relegation battle after St Naul's won the final. ^[1]

Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh

On 13 December 2023, Oisín Gallen was named as the recipient of the annual Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh. ^{[19] [20]} RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced the decision. ^{[21] [22]} The award was given to Gallen on the same evening. ^[5]

References

1. "Milford relegated to Intermediate championship". Highland Radio. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
2. Campbell, Peter (22 October 2023). "Magnificent seven for Naomh Conaill in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport . Retrieved 22 October 2023.
3. "Naomh Conaill outclass Gaoth Dobhair 1–16 to 1–8 in Donegal Football Final". BBC Sport. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023. Man of the match O'Donnell's brilliant run set up McGuinness' 46th-minute goal…
4. Ferry, Ryan (26 October 2023). "End-of-Championship Awards". Donegal News . p. 69. DIVISIVE ISSUE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP: The fact that there was no seeding in the quarter-finals proved to be a divisive issue… there was not much reward for the teams who finished in the top four, expecially as they were all paired against each other in the quarter-finals (the same happened in the Senior B last eight draw)… MOAN OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP: One of the most controversial matters in the championship this year surrounded the neutral venues used on quarter-final weekend with some clubs feeling they had to do a lot more travelling than their opposition. The fact that two senior quarter-finals were on at the same time didn't go down well either…
5. "Gallen receives Donegal Footballer of the Year award". Hogan Stand . 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
6. Ferry, Ryan (19 October 2023). "Seasoned Naomh Conaill are favourites to land the Doctor". Donegal News . p. 70. Naomh Conaill know the perils of carrying the red-hot favourites tag but they will have to shoulder that burden when they face Gaoth Dobhair in Sunday's county final. The smart money is on Martin Regan's side regaining the Dr Maguire Cup. After all, they have beaten some of the leading contenders… Of the 19 players used in the semi-final, 11 will be thirty years of age by the end of the year, but their powers don't seem to be on the wane in any way.
7. "Naomh Conaill and St Eunan's to meet in Donegal SFC semi-finals". Hogan Stand . 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
8. "Gallen's heroics inspire Sean MacCumhaills towards last four of Donegal SFC". Hogan Stand . 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
9. "Last year's finalists meet again in SFC semi-final draw". Donegal News . 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
10. Bonnar, Dáire (19 October 2023). "Doherty's savouring 'special' final feeling". Donegal News . p. 63.
11. Ferry, Ryan (19 October 2023). "Ó Baoill is making his mark in Gaoth Dobhair's defence". Donegal News . p. 64.
12. Ferry, Ryan (19 October 2023). "Motivation not a problem for Regan and Naomh Conaill". Donegal News . p. 69. [Gaoth Dobhair]: Dan McBride has retired, while Christopher Sweeney, Ódhrán McFadden-Ferry, Naoise Ó Baoill, Cian Mulligan, and Eamonn Collum are living outside the country, while Michael Carroll has been injured for much of the season… [Naomh Conaill]: If we take the twenty players who were used in the third game, 19 of those have played club football this year. Kieran Gallagher is the odd man out while Eoghan McGettigan is now sidelined with a long-term injury.
13. McLaughlin, Gerry (20 October 2023). "Donegal final set to be mix of pride and pragmatism". The Irish News . Retrieved 20 October 2023. In managerial terms, Gaoth Dobhair's Ronan MacNiallais, elder brother of Odhran MacNiallais, is only in his first year.
14. McNulty, Chris (22 October 2023). "Donegal SFC Final: Fourth title in five years for Naomh Conaill" . Retrieved 22 October 2023.
15. Ferry, Ryan (26 October 2023). "Team of the Championship". Donegal News . p. 68. 1. Stephen McGrath (Naomh Conaill) McGrath kept four clean sheets in his seven games, and has really pushed his game on to a new level…
16. Bonner, Declan (19 October 2023). "County Final fever building as Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhar lock horns again". Donegal News . p. 71. This is the seventh successive county final for Naomh Conaill. When you add in the two replays, that's nine times on the trot that they have gone to battle on Donegal GAA's biggest day.
17. "Ulster SFC Preview: Naomh Conaill captain Ultan Doherty ahead of clash with Gowna". Highland Radio. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
18. Fitzpatrick, Paul (12 November 2023). "Naomh Conaill beat Gowna at the death". RTÉ Sport . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
19. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh le bronnadh ar Oisín Gallen". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
20. "Oisín Gallen wins Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". Ocean FM. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
21. "Oisín Gallen to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh". Donegal News . 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
22. "Oisín Gallen to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2023". 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.