2024 Donegal county football team season

Last updated

Donegal county football team
2024 season
Manager Jim McGuinness
Stadium MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D2 1st (promoted)
All-Ireland SFC Semi-finalist
Ulster SFC Winners
←  2023
2025  →

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2024 season.

Contents

Personnel changes

Reports in August 2023 suggested that Jim McGuinness would be returning for a second spell as manager, with RTÉ Sport stating on 17 August that McGuinness had already met with county board officials. [1] On 20 August, the Donegal County Board brought forward its monthly meeting to the following evening. [2] At that meeting, held on the evening of Monday 21 August, the return of McGuinness as manager was announced, with Colm McFadden, Neil McGee and Luke Barrett all confirmed as being on McGuinness's backroom team. [3] When asked in mid-November 2023, McGuinness ruled out any further additions to his backroom team, though he said they were still searching for new players, with "close to 50 in total" having been investigated up until that time. [4]

The appointment made McGuinness the first holder of a UEFA Pro Licence to manage an inter-county team. [5] He took charge for his second term as Donegal manager at the age of 50. [6]

In November 2023, it was announced that James Gallagher, who previously served under both Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner, had succeeded Declan McIntyre as goalkeeping coach, making this Gallagher's third spell in that role. [7] [8] [9]

Kit

On 2 November 2023, a new jersey was launched at the Abbey Hotel. [10] [11]

Pre-season

It was announced in October 2023 that McGuinness would take his team on a seven-day long training camp in December 2023, ahead of the 2024 season beginning. [12] [13] On Saturday, 2 December 2023, the squad departed for the warm weather camp, held in Tenerife. [14] [15]

In November 2023, it was announced that Donegal would play Roscommon in a challenge match at Fr Tierney Park on 17 December, the first game since McGuinness returned as manager. [16] [17] It was also the first senior inter-county match held at the venue for nearly four years, as it had been undergoing renovations. [18] Proceeds were divided between the team's training fund and North West Hospice. [19] [20] Tickets were still available on the day of the game. [21] McGuinness named Kevin McGettigan and Ciarán Moore as two new players to start the game. [22] By half-time, Donegal had a lead of 0–9 to 0–2. [23] By full-time, Donegal had a lead of 2–12 to 2–6. [24]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

Fixtures

The McKenna Cup group draw was held in the Armagh City Hotel in Armagh on Wednesday evening, 13 December 2023, with Donegal appearing in Section A. [25] [26]

3 January 2024Round 1 Donegal Colours of Donegal GAA.svg 3-16 - 1-06 (Overruled) Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh Ballybofey
19:30 IST (UTC)Stadium: MacCumhaill Park
7 January 2024Round 2 Tyrone Colours of Tyrone.svg 1-10 - 0-15 Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal Omagh
13:00 IST (UTC)Stadium: O'Neills Healy Park

PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal [a] 22001513+22Advance to semi-final
2 Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh [a] 21011716+12
3 Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 20022932−30
Source: Ulster GAA
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Donegal received no points for their win over Armagh as they fielded an ineligible player; Armagh did not get the points as they did not make an appeal. For the purposes of points difference, the game was not counted. [27]

National Football League Division 2

Fixtures

Donegal were to begin with a Saturday night home fixture against Cork, which was the first fixture to be announced, on 27 October 2023. [28] This was, however, moved to the Sunday afternoon, the following day, when all fixtures were announced on 6 December 2023 (see below).

On 6 December 2023, the GAA announced that all Division 2 Round 7 games would be played separately from the Round 7 games in Division 1, 3 and 4, on Saturday, 23 March 2024, at 19:00, including Donegal v Meath at MacCumhaill Park. [29] The rest of the fixtures were also confirmed on 6 December 2023. [30]

28 January 2024 (2024-01-28)Round 1 Donegal v Cork Ballybofey 
13:45 IST (UTC+1)Venue: MacCumhaill Park


4 February 2024 (2024-02-04)Round 2 Cavan v Donegal Cavan  
16:00 IST (UTC)Venue: Breffni Park


17 February 2024 (2024-02-17)Round 3 Donegal v Fermanagh Letterkenny  
14:00 IST (UTC+1)Venue: O'Donnell Park


25 February 2024 (2024-02-25)Round 4 Armagh v Donegal Armagh  
15:00 IST (UTC+1)Venue: Athletic Grounds


3 March 2024 (2024-03-03)Round 5 Donegal v Louth Ballyshannon  
14:00 IST (UTC+1)Venue: Fr Tierney Park


16 March 2023 (2023-03-16)Round 6 Kildare v Donegal Carlow  
17:00 IST (UTC+1)Venue: Dr Cullen Park


23 March 2024 (2024-03-23)Round 7 Donegal v Meath Ballybofey 
19:00 IST (UTC+1)Venue: MacCumhaill Park


Table

PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal 761012883+4513Advance to NFL Division 2 Final and
promotion to 2025 NFL Division 1
2 Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 752013286+4612
3 Colours of Cavan.svg Cavan [a] 7313103117−147
4 Colours of Cork.svg Cork [a] 7313119125−67
5 Colours of Meath.svg Meath [b] 722386105−196
6 Colours of Louth.svg Louth [b] 7304121101+206
7 Colours of Fermanagh.svg Fermanagh 721494129−355Relegation to 2025 NFL Division 3
8 Colours of Kildare.svg Kildare 700782119−370
Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Cavan are ranked ahead of Cork because they won the head-to-head game between the teams
  2. 1 2 Meath are ranked ahead of Louth because they won the head-to-head game between the teams

Ulster Senior Football Championship

Fixtures

The draw for the 2024 Ulster Championship was made on 21 October 2023. [31] [32]

Quarter-final
Colours of Derry.svg Derry 0–17 – 4–11 Donegal Colours of Donegal GAA.svg
E Doherty 0–4, McGuigan 0–4 (2f), Cassidy 0–2 (1m), Rogers 0–2, C Doherty 0–1, McKaigue 0–1, McKinless 0–1, Murray 0–1, Toner 0–1, Report Ó Baoill 2–1, Gallen 1–3 (1p,1f,1'45), Brennan 1–0, McHugh 0–2, McBrearty 0–1f, Mogan 0–1, Moore 0–1, N O'Donnell 0–1, Thompson 0–1
Attendance: 14,714
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
Semi-final
Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal 0–18 – 0–16 (a.e.t.) Tyrone Colours of Tyrone.svg
Gallen 0–3 (3f), McBrearty 0–2 (1f), McGee 0–2, Ó Baoill 0–2, S O'Donnell 0–2, Thompson 0–2 (1f), McGonagle 0–1, Mac Ceallabhuí 0–1, McCole 0–1, Mogan 0–1, N O'Donnell 0–1 Report Canavan 0–4 (1f,1m), Morgan 0–3 (3f), Daly 0–2, McCurry 0–2 (2f), McKernan 0–2, O'Donnell 0–1, Donnelly 0–1, McShane 0–1
Attendance: 14,714
Final
Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 0–20 – 0–20 (a.e.t.) Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal
Turbitt 0–4, Nugent 0–3 (1f), Campbell 0–2, Conaty 0–2, Crealey 0–2 (1m), Murnin 0–2, Forker 0–1, Grugan 0–1, Mackin 0–1, O O'Neill 0–1 (1m), R O'Neill 0–1 (1m) Report Gallen 0–6 (2f), Ó Baoill 0–2, N O'Donnell 0–2, S O'Donnell 0–2, McBrearty 0–2 (1f), Mogan 0–2, O Doherty 0–1, Langan 0–1, McGee 0–1, Mac Ceallabhuí 0–1
Penalties
5–6
Attendance: 28,896
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)

Bracket

Preliminary round
Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
Colours of Down.svg Down 0–13
Colours of Antrim.svg Antrim 0–9
Colours of Down.svg Down 2–6
Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 0–13
Colours of Fermanagh.svg Fermanagh 0–9
Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 3–11
Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 0–20 (5)
Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal 0–20 (6)
Colours of Derry.svg Derry 0–17
Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal 4–11
Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal 0–18
Colours of Monaghan.svg Monaghan 1–12 Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 0–16
Colours of Cavan.svg Cavan 3–12 Colours of Cavan.svg Cavan 3–16
Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 1–23*

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Format

16 teams were divided into 4 groups of 4 teams, and played a round robin to qualify for the knockout stages of the All-Ireland SFC. Group games took place between 18 May and 16 June 2024.

Seeding

Number in brackets indicates ranking in the 2024 NFL.

Group 3

Table
PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Donegal 32016637+294Advance to quarter-final
2 Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 32015948+114Advance to preliminary quarter-final
3 Colours of Cork.svg Cork 3201515104
4 Colours of Clare.svg Clare 30032969−400
Source: GAA
Fixtures
Round 1
Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal 0–21 – 0–14 Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone
Gallen 0–7 (5f), Mogan 0–3, McBrearty 0–2 (1f), McGee 0–2, Thompson 0–2 (1m), O Doherty 0–1, Gallagher 0–1, Langan 0–1, McHugh 0–1, S O'Donnell 0–1 Report McCurry 0–4 (1f,1m), Canavan 0–3 (3f), McGeary 0–3, Devlin 0–1, Donnelly 0–1, Morgan 0–1f, O'Donnell 0–1
Attendance: 16,607
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
Round 2
Colours of Cork.svg Cork 3–9 – 0–16 Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal
Hurley 0–3 (2f), Maguire 1–0, Powter 1–0, Taylor 1–0, Jones 0–2, O'Callaghan 0–2, Sherlock 0–1, Walsh 0–1 Report McBrearty 0–7 (3f), Gallen 0–3 (2f), Moore 0–2, A Doherty 0–1, McHugh 0–1, McGonagle 0–1, N O'Donnell 0–1
Attendance: 7,251
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
Round 3
Colours of Clare.svg Clare 0–5 – 2–23 Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal
McMahon 0–4 (3f), O'Donnell 0–1 Report Gallen 1–4 (2'45), McHugh 1–4, McBrearty 0–5 (1f), C O'Donnell 0–2, Thompson 0–2, Curran 0–1, Langan 0–1, Mogan 0–1, Moore 0–1, O Baoill 0–1, S O'Donnell 0–1
Referee: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary)

Knockout stage

Fixtures
Quarter-final
Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal 1–23 – 0–18 Colours of Louth.svg Louth
Mogan 0–5, Gallen 0–4 (1f), Gallagher 1–0, Langan 0–3, McHugh 0–2, Moore 0–2, C O'Donnell 0–2, Thompson 0–2, Brennan 0–1, A Doherty 0–1, McBrearty 0–1 Report Mulroy 0–6 (4f), Durnin 0–4, Burns 0–2, Byrne 0–2, Early 0–1, L Jackson 0–1, T Jackson 0–1, Lennon 0–1
Attendance: 47,406
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
Semi-final
Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal 0–15 – 1–14 Colours of Galway.svg Galway
Langan 0–4, Gallen 0–3, McBrearty 0–3 (1f), S O'Donnell 0–2, Thompson 0–2 (1m), McGonagle 0–1 Report Conroy 1–1, Finnerty 0–4 (2f), Walsh 0–3 (2f), McHugh 0–2, Silke 0–2, Maher 0–1, McDaid 0–1
Attendance: 67,002
Bracket

Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The provincial champions are marked by an asterisk.

Preliminary quarter-finals Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 2-12
Colours of Tyrone.svg Tyrone 0-12 Colours of Roscommon.svg Roscommon 0-12
Colours of Roscommon.svg Roscommon 0-14 Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh (a.e.t.)1-18
Colours of Kerry.svg Kerry* 1-16
Colours of Kerry.svg Kerry* 0-15
Colours of Mayo.svg Mayo 1-12 (3) Colours of Derry.svg Derry 0-10
Colours of Derry.svg Derry (pens.)0-15 (4) Colours of Armagh.svg Armagh 1-11
Colours of Galway.svg Galway* 0-13
Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal* 1-23
Colours of Louth.svg Louth 1-09 Colours of Louth.svg Louth 0-18
Colours of Cork.svg Cork 1-08 Colours of Donegal.svg Donegal* 0-15
Colours of Galway.svg Galway* 1-14
Colours of Dublin.svg Dublin* 0-16
Colours of Galway.svg Galway*0-14 Colours of Galway.svg Galway*0-17
Colours of Monaghan.svg Monaghan 0-11

Awards

The Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game selected Peadar Mogan and Oisín Gallen on its Team of the Year. [33]

GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year

Ciarán Moore was nominated. [34]

All Stars

Donegal achieved two All Stars.

Pos.PlayerTeamAppearances
GK Colours of Tyrone.svg Niall Morgan Tyrone 2
RCB Colours of Galway.svg Johnny McGrath Galway 1
FB Colours of Armagh.svg Barry McCambridge Armagh 1
LCB Colours of Donegal GAA.svg Peadar Mogan Donegal 1
RWB Colours of Galway.svg Dylan McHugh Galway 1
CB Colours of Armagh.svg Aidan Forker Armagh 1
LWB Colours of Louth.svg Craig Lennon Louth 1
MD Colours of Galway.svg Paul Conroy FOTY Galway 1
MD Colours of Armagh.svg Ben Crealey Armagh 1
RWF Colours of Armagh.svg Rian O'Neill Armagh 1
CF Colours of Galway.svg John Maher Galway 1
LWF Colours of Armagh.svg Oisín Conaty Armagh 1
RCF Colours of Galway.svg Robert Finnerty Galway 1
FF Colours of Donegal.svg Oisín Gallen Donegal 1
LCF Colours of Armagh.svg Conor Turbitt Armagh 1
County breakdown

References

  1. ↑ McCoy, Niall (17 August 2023). "McGuinness in mix for sensational Donegal return". RTÉ Sport . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Donegal hastily arrange meeting for manager update". RTÉ Sport. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023. In an update this afternoon, Donegal asked delegates to attend the hastily arranged meeting on Monday at 7.30pm to discuss 'an update on the deliberations of the Senior Football Manager's Selection Committee'.
  3. ↑ "Donegal confirm return of Jim McGuinness as manager". RTÉ Sport. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. ↑ McLaughlin, Gerry (19 November 2023). "McGuinness rules out any late additions to Donegal managerial backroom team: McGuinness' confirmation ends fresh speculation that Karl Lacey might have come on board following Kilcoo's elimination from the Ulster club championship by Scotstown" . Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Haughey, John (22 August 2023). "Can McGuinness' second coming rejuvenate Donegal?". BBC Sport . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Donegal confirm stunning return of Jim McGuinness as manager". The42.ie. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. ↑ 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. The Meenlaragh native was not involved in 2023 with Declan McIntyre taking on the role.
  8. ↑ Craig, Frank (9 November 2023). "James Gallagher set to return as Donegal goalkeeping coach: Gallagher previously served under both Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner and the Meenlaragh man looks set for another stint working with the Donegal senior goalkeepers". DonegalLive.ie. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "James Gallagher returns to Donegal as goalkeeping coach". Highland Radio. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "New Donegal jersey launched at the Abbey Hotel". Donegal News . 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "Donegal's Oisin Gallen hopes new jersey brings 'fresh start'". Highland Radio. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023. Donegal GAA launched the new county jersey for the 2024 season today at The Abbey Hotel in conjunction with O'Neills.
  12. ↑ "McGuinness to start Donegal's 2024 preparations with seven-day training camp". Hogan Stand . 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Comack, Tom (4 October 2023). "McGuinness to begin Donegal preparations for 2024 with week-long training camp". DonegalLive.ie. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "Donegal panel set to jet off to Tenerife". Donegal News . 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Donegal squad to jet off to Tenerife tomorrow". Hogan Stand . 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Donegal supporters' first chance to see Jim McGuinness's team in action is confirmed". 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Donegal to begin new reign under McGuinness with Roscommon friendly in Ballyshannon". 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Collins, Charlie (17 December 2023). "Donegal beat Roscommon in Jim McGuinness' return as manager" . Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "New-look Donegal beat Roscommon in challenge match". Ocean FM. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  20. ↑ Cooney, Ian (16 December 2023). "Roscommon name team for challenge game against Donegal". Roscommon Herald . Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Donegal v Roscommon friendly game this afternoon". 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  22. ↑ Foley, Alan (16 December 2023). "McGettigan and Moore to start as McGuinness names Donegal team for Roscommon" . Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "McGuinness's Donegal defeat Rossies in challenge match". Donegal News . 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  24. ↑ Foley, Alan (17 December 2023). "Live updates: Donegal v Roscommon challenge match in Ballyshannon" . Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Donegal drawn with Tyrone and Armagh in McKenna Cup". Highland Radio. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Donegal to face Tyrone and Armagh in McKenna Cup". Donegal News . 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Blow for Donegal ahead of National League as Jim McGuinness hit with eight-week ban over ineligible player". Independent.ie. 8 January 2024.
  28. ↑ Keys, Colm (27 October 2023). "Allianz League openers revealed as Dublin to take on Monaghan at Croke Park". Irish Independent . Retrieved 27 October 2023. In Division 2, Jim McGuinness will have a home game against Cork on Saturday night as his first competitive fixture since returning to the fold earlier this year…
  29. ↑ Roche, Frank (6 December 2023). "GAA unveils 'Super Saturday' climax to NFL Division Two in 2024". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "Your complete guide to the 2024 GAA inter-county fixtures list". Irish Independent . 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  31. ↑ Diallo, Raf (21 October 2023). "2024 Provincial football championships draw — recap". RTÉ Sport . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  32. ↑ "Ulster SFC draw pairs Jim McGuinness against Mickey Harte". RTÉ Sport. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "RTE viewers baffled after Sunday Game's football team of year 'leaves star player out': We're scratching our heads too at how he didn't make the team". galwaybeo.ie. 28 July 2024.
  34. ↑ "Seven Donegal on All Star Nominations list". highlandradio.com. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
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