| Season | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Champions | St Eunan's (16th title) |
| Relegated | Cloich Cheann Fhaola [1] |
| Winning captain | Kieran Tobin [2] |
| Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh | Shane O'Donnell [3] |
| Winning manager | Barry Meehan [4] |
← 2023 2025 → | |
The 2024 Donegal Senior Football Championship was the 102nd 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 2024 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.
The favourite to take the Donegal SFC title was two-time defending champion, bidding for a third consecutive title, Naomh Conaill. [5]
St Eunan's ultimately won the title. [6]
The following teams changed division since the 2023 championship season.
To SFCPromoted from 2023 Donegal IFC
| From SFCRelegated to 2024 Donegal IFC |
| Team | Captain(s) | Manager(s) | Most recent title | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| An Clochán Liath | Conor O'Donnell [9] | Dessie Gallagher [9] | 1958 | SFC preliminary quarter-finalist [9] |
| Aodh Ruadh | Eamonn McGrath [10] | Maurice McLaughlin [10] | 1998 | SFC quarter-finalist [10] |
| Ard an Rátha | Kevin Whyte [11] | Damian Devaney [11] | 2004 | SFC quarter-finalist [11] |
| Cill Chartha | Eoin McHugh [12] | Michael Hegarty [12] | 2017 | SFC quarter-finalist [12] |
| Cloich Cheann Fhaola | Darren McGeever [13] | Denis Doohan [13] | — | SFC preliminary quarter-finalist [13] |
| Four Masters | Caolan Loughney [14] | Kevin Sinclair [14] | 2003 | SFC preliminary quarter-finalist [14] |
| Gaoth Dobhair | Niall Friel [15] | Rónán Mac Niallais [15] | 2018 | SFC finalist [15] |
| Glenfin | Ciaran Brady [16] | Frank Ward [16] | — | SFC preliminary quarter-finalist [16] |
| Glenswilly | Jack Gallagher [17] | Gary McDaid [17] | 2016 | SFC quarter-finalist [17] |
| Na Cealla Beaga | Jack McSharry [18] | Pauric Bonner [18] | 1996 | SFC relegation semi-finalist [18] |
| Na Dúnaibh | Ben McNutt [19] | Maxi Curran [19] | — | IFC winner [19] |
| Naomh Conaill | Ultan Doherty [20] | Martin Regan [20] | 2023 | SFC winner [20] |
| Seán Mac Cumhaills | Oisín Gallen [21] | Gary Wilson [21] | 1977 | SFC semi-finalist [21] |
| St Eunan's | Kieran Tobin [22] | Barry Meehan [22] | 2021 | SFC semi-finalist [22] |
| St Michael's | Liam Paul Ferry [23] | Cathal Sweeney & Raymond McLaughlin [23] | — | SFC relegation semi-finalist [23] |
| St Naul's | Ian Campbell [24] | Stephen Griffin (player–manager) [24] | — | SFC relegation finalist [24] |
Michael Hegarty was critical of the format, which involved a league phase consisting of 32 games played on four different weekends, to reduce the number of clubs left in the competition by four. [25]
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | PD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gleann tSúilí | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 45 | +22 | 8 | Advance to |
| 2 | St Michael's | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 37 | +16 | 8 | |
| 3 | Naomh Conaill | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75 | 30 | +45 | 6 | |
| 4 | Cill Chartha | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 69 | 46 | +23 | 6 | |
| 5 | An Clochán Liath | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 57 | 36 | +21 | 6 | Advance to |
| 6 | St Eunan's | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 36 | +20 | 6 | |
| 7 | Four Masters | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 36 | +18 | 6 | |
| 8 | Gaoth Dobhair | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 38 | +4 | 4 | |
| 9 | Seán Mac Cumhaills | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 62 | -6 | 4 | |
| 10 | Na Cealla Beaga | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 54 | -6 | 2 | |
| 11 | Ard an Rátha | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 64 | -16 | 2 | |
| 12 | Na Dúnaibh | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 56 | -17 | 2 | |
| 13 | Gleann Fhinne | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 60 | -20 | 2 | Advance to |
| 14 | Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 69 | -26 | 2 | |
| 15 | Cloich Cheann Fhaola | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 72 | -38 | 0 | |
| 16 | St Naul's | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 73 | -40 | 0 |
Teams ranked 5–12 were paired up based on league phase ranking for the preliminary quarter-finals, which were played at neutral venues.
| 14 September 2024 Preliminary quarter-final | An Clochán Liath | 1–7 — 0–6 | Na Dúnaibh | Pairc Naomh Fionnan Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs) |
| Oisin Bonner 1–1; Dylan Sweeney and Conor Greene (1M) 0–2 each; Barry Curran and Matthew Ward 0–1 each | Report | Johnny McGroddy 0–5, 2fs, 1 '45'; Oisin Boyce (M), Paddy McElwee and Keelan McGroddy 0–1 each. |
| 14 September 2024 Preliminary quarter-final | St Eunan's | 2–11 — 0–5 | Ard an Rátha | ??? Referee: Robbie O'Donnell (Naomh Muire) |
| Conor Morrison and Niall O'Donnell 1–0; Pauric Boyle, Conor O'Donnell Jnr, and Eoin Dowling 1M, 1f, 0–2 each; Ciarán Moore, Anthony Gallagher, Kieran Tobin, Aaron Deeney, and Eoin McGeehin 1M, 0–1 each | Report | KJ Molloy 0–3, 1f, 1M; CJ Molloy and Cailum Malley 0–1 each |
| 15 September 2024 Preliminary quarter-final | Four Masters | 0–8 — 0–4 | Na Cealla Beaga | Ardara Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's Convoy) |
| Seanán Carr 0–3, 3fs; Conor Reid 0–2, 1f; Alex McCalmont, Richard O'Rourke, and Aaron McCrea 0–1 each | Report | Evan Broderick 0–2; Rory Colyer and Jack McSharry 0–1 each |
| 15 September 2024 Preliminary quarter-final | Gaoth Dobhair | 0–16 — 0–8 | Seán Mac Cumhaills | O'Donnell Park Referee: Anthony Mc Callig (Naomh Ultan) |
| Ethan Harkin 0–4, 4f; Daire Ó Baoill 0–3; Eamonn Collum and Cathal Gillespie 0–2, 1f; Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde 0–2; Fionnán Coyle, Eoin de Búrca, Stephen Donna McFadden 0–1 | Report | Oisín Gallen 0–5, 4f, 45; Aaron Gilhooley 0–1; Kevin McCormack, Steven O'Reilly 0–1 |
| 21 September 2024 14:00 Quarter-final | An Clochán Liath | 2–8 — 0–13 | Gleann tSúilí | Cloich Cheann Fhaola Referee: Ryan Walsh (Réalt na Mara) |
| Darren Curran 1–1; Oisin Bonner 0–4, 3f; Daire Gallagher 1–0; Dylan Sweeney and Conor Greene 0–1; Ryan Connors 0–1; 1f | Report | Michael Murphy 0–4, 3f, 1m; Kealan Dunleavy and Daithi Gildea 0–2; Gary McFadden 0–2, 1f; Shane McDevitt, Jamie McCauley and Donal Gallagher 0–1 |
| 21 September 2024 19:30 Quarter-final | St Eunan's | 0–10 — 0–9 | Naomh Conaill | MacCumhaill Park Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters) |
| Conor O'Donnell Jnr 0–2,2f; Niall O'Donnell 0–2; Conor O'Donnell Snr, James Kelly, Shane O'Donnell, Ciarán Moore, Darragh Mulgrew and Eoin McGeehin 0–1 each | Report | Ciarán Thompson 0–4,4f; Charles McGuinness 0–2,1f; Anthony Thompson, Keelin McGill (mark), John O'Malley 0–1 each |
| 22 September 2024 13:30 Quarter-final | St Michael's | 2–8 — 0–13 | Cill Chartha | Davy Brennan Memorial Park Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's Convoy) |
| Daniel McLaughlin 0–6,5f; Colin McFadden, Carlos O'Reilly 1–0 each; Michael McGinley 0–2 | Report | Patrick McBrearty 0–6,3f; Matthew McClean 0–2,1f; Ciaran McGinley 0–2; Mark McHugh, Mark Sweeney, Oran Doogan 0–1 each |
| 22 September 2024 16:30 Quarter-final | Gaoth Dobhair | 0–9 — 0–7 | Four Masters | MacCumhaill Park Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada) |
| Eamonn Collum, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde and Daire Ó Baoill 0–2 each; Ethan Harkin 0–1, 1f; Eoin de Burca and Stephen McFadden 0–1 each | Report | Seanán Carr 0–2, 2fs; Conor Reid, Aaron McCrea, Alex McCalmont, Richard O'Rourke, and Joe Leape 0–1 each |
| 28 September 2024 ??? Semi-final | St Eunan's | 0–8 — 0–7 | Gaoth Dobhair | MacCumhaill Park Referee: Enda McFeely (St Mary's Convoy) |
| Conor O'Donnell Jnr 0–3, 3f; Eoin Dowling 0–2, 1f; Niall O'Donnell 0–1 and James Kelly 0–1; Eoin McGeehin 0–1, 1m | Report | Micheál Roarty 0–2; Eoin de Búrca 0–2, 1m; Eamonn Collum and Stephen Donna McFadden 0–1; Daire Ó Baoill 0–1, 1f |
| 29 September 2024 ??? Semi-final | An Clochán Liath | 0–9 — 0–8 | St Michael's | O'Donnell Park Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada) |
| Ryan Connors 0–3,3f; Oisin Bonner 0–1,1m; Karl Magee 0–1; Daire Gallagher 0–1; Barry Curran 0–1; Dylan Sweeney 0–1; Darren Curran 0–1 | Report | Daniel McLaughlin 0–5,5f; Michael Langan 0–2,2f; Michael Cannon 0–1 |
An Clochán Liath had not played in any final in recent decades. The score at half-time was four points a piece. In the second half, an effort by Niall O'Donnell of St Eunan's rebounded off the post and Conor O'Donnell Jnr was there to hit the ball into the back of the net for what proved to be the game's opening goal. An Clochán Liath then received the benefit of a controversial penalty decision, which resulted in Shaun Patton's concession of the game's second goal. St Eunan's – the more experienced team though – ultimately won this decider, with Ciarán Moore, Eoin McGeehin and O'Donnell Jnr adding on scores towards the end. In doing so, the club secured a 16th SFC title to once again move ahead of Gaoth Dobhair, left trailing on 15. [6]
An Clochán Liath followed Glenswilly in losing an SFC final two years after winning the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship. [27]
| 13 October 2024 Final | St Eunan's | 1–13 — 1–10 | An Clochán Liath | MacCumhaill Park Referee: Ryan Walsh (Réalt na Mara) |
| Conor O'Donnell Jnr 1–4, 2f; Ciarán Moore 0–3; Niall O'Donnell 0–2, 1f; Pauric Boyle, Aaron Deeney, Kieran Tobin, Eoin McGeehin 0–1 each | Report | Ryan Connors 1–2, 1–0, 2f), Dylan Sweeney, Danny Rodgers 0–2, 1f, 45; Conor Greene 0–2, 0–1; Aaron Neely, Barry Curran 0–1 each |
St Eunan's advanced to the 2024 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, losing in the preliminary round to Tyrone champions Errigal Ciarán, who went on to reach the All-Ireland Club Championship final. [28] [29]
| 15 September 2024 Relegation playoff semi-final | Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon | 2–15 — 0–9 | Cloich Cheann Fhaola | MacCumhaill Park Referee: Marc Brown (Four Masters) |
| Jack Gallagher 1–5,4f; Shane McGrath 1–0; Matthew Gillespie 0–2; David Dolan, Mark McGlynn, Johnny Gethins Darren Drummond, Oisin Rooney, Senan Rooney, Diarmaid McInerney, Michael McKenna 0–1 each | Report | Shaun Maguire 0–2; Sean McGarvey 0–3,3f; Blake McGarvey 0–2,1f., Conor Coyle, Ciaran Coll 0–1 each. |
| 15 September 2024 Relegation playoff semi-final | Gleann Fhinne | 0–10 — 0–8 | St Naul's | Tirconaill Park Referee: Ryan Walsh (Réalt na Mara) |
| Luke McGlynn 0–4,2f; Shaun Ward 0–3,2f; Jack Long, Odhran McGlynn, Daniel Marley (f) 0–1 each. | Report | Ian Campbell, Joe Campbell, Peadar Mogan (1f) 0–2 each; Declan Duignan, Gavin Mulreany (f) 0–1 each |
| 28 September 2024 Relegation playoff final | St Naul's | 2–7 — 0–5 | Cloich Cheann Fhaola | Glenswilly Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs) |
| Peadar Mogan 1–2; Declan Duignan 1–0; Stephen Griffin (1f), Joe Campbell 0–2 each; Gavin Mulreany 0–1 | Report | Darren Ferry, Blake McGarvey 0–2 each; Shaun Maguire 0–1 |
Shane O'Donnell of St Eunan's picked up the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh, having been selected as Player of the Donegal Championship 2024. [30] [31]