2025 Donegal county football team season

Donegal county football team

2025 season
Manager	Jim McGuinness
Stadium	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
←  2024 2026  →

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2025 season.

Personnel changes

On 6 November 2024, it was announced that Michael Murphy would come out of retirement and again represent the county for the 2025 season, under the manager that he captained them to the All Ireland. ^[1] This followed "weeks of rumours" and numerous reports on the day of the announcement that it was happening. ^{[2] [3]} Brian McEniff addressed the rumours for his newspaper column on 23 October 2024. ^[4] Anthony Molloy mentioned hearing the rumours and said: "look at the season Paul Conroy had in winning Footballer of the Year at the age of 35 and playing midfield in an All-Ireland final, maybe Michael saw that and thought there were a few years left in him". Molloy also mentioned how his own return from taking some time away after 1990 until 1992 led to him captaining Donegal to the All Ireland for the first time. ^[5] Murphy had ruled out returning ahead of the 2024 season. ^[6] What it meant as well was Murphy gave up his punditry role with the BBC and his position on the Football Review Committee. ^{[7] [8]} Thomas Niblock, who worked with him on the BBC, reported on Murphy's return. ^{[9] [10]} The Irish Times reported that Murphy's decision coincided with James McCarthy picking the same week to retire from playing for Dublin and "In terms of stop-you-in-your-tracks GAA comebacks, this is up there with Stephen Cluxton with Dublin and Graham Geraghty with Meath". ^[11] There was further excitement when it was later widely reported that Murphy, a full-forward, was training as a goalkeeper and, although this was thought to be an attempt by manager Jim McGuinness to get round the new playing rules introduced by Jim Gavin, ultimately it ended up being part of the care taken to ease Murphy back into the inter-county scene. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

Four other players made "returns" for different reasons. Eoin McHugh had been with Donegal at various times since playing in the 2013 Dr McKenna Cup. ^[15] The other three, in order of their time with Donegal, were Odhran McFadden Ferry (serving as a soldier overseas, double ACL injury, travel to Australia because of a career break due to his injuries ^[16] ), Eoghan McGettigan (also long troubled by injuries ^{[17] [18] [19]} ) and Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal tried to play him as early as January 2024 but the GAA banned him for being 17). ^[20]

Competitions

Donegal became the first team to play 11 championship matches in the same season. ^[21]

National Football League Division 1

Main article: 2025 National Football League (Ireland)

Eoghan Bán Gallagher tore his hamstring while training for the last NFL game against Mayo, he would miss the entirety of the Ulster SFC campaign and only return for the All-Ireland SFC. ^[22]

Fixtures

Donegal's fixtures for the 2025 NFL were announced in November 2024, with the Round Six fixture against Tyrone originally set for the evening of 15 March at MacCumhaill Park. ^[23] It was later changed to the afternoon of 16 March at O'Donnell Park. ^[24] Donegal's Round 1 trip to Kerry was one of several league fixtures postponed because of Storm Éowyn. ^[25]

Donegal v Dublin

1 February 2025 (2025-02-01)Round 1	Donegal	0–20 (20) – (16) 0–16	Dublin	Ballybofey
		[26]		Stadium: MacCumhaill Park

Kerry v Donegal

8 February 2025 (2025-02-08)Round 2	Kerry	1–18 (21) – (23) 0–23	Donegal	Killarney
		[27]		Stadium: Fitzgerald Stadium

Donegal v Armagh

16 February 2025 (2025-02-16)Round 3	Donegal	v	Armagh	Ballybofey
15:00		[28]		Stadium: MacCumhaill Park

Galway v Donegal

23 February 2025 (2025-02-23)Round 4	Galway	v	Donegal	Tuam
15:45		[29]		Stadium: St Jarlath's Park
Note: TG4 [30]

Donegal v Derry

2 March 2025 (2025-03-02)Round 5	Donegal	v	Derry	Ballyshannon
13:45		[31]		Stadium: Fr Tierney Park

Donegal v Tyrone

16 March 2025 (2025-03-16)Round 6	Donegal	v	Tyrone	Letterkenny
15:30		[32]		Stadium: O'Donnell Park

Mayo v Donegal

23 March 2025 (2025-03-23)Round 7	Mayo	v	Donegal	Castlebar
13:45		[33]		Stadium: MacHale Park

Table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Mayo	7	4	1	2	133	134	−1	9	Advance to NFL Final
2	Kerry [a]	7	4	0	3	170	151	+19	8
3	Galway [a]	7	3	2	2	143	134	+9	8
4	Donegal [a]	7	4	0	3	141	139	+2	8
5	Dublin [a]	7	4	0	3	143	142	+1	8
6	Armagh [b]	7	3	1	3	144	137	+7	7
7	Tyrone [b]	7	3	1	3	138	131	+7	7	Relegation to 2026 NFL Division 2
8	Derry	7	0	1	6	136	180	−44	1

Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:

1. Ranked by score difference
2. Armagh are ranked ahead of Tyrone as they won the head-to-head game between the teams. ^[34]

Ulster Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2025 Ulster Senior Football Championship

Jason McGee made his season debut as a substitute against Derry in the preliminary round. ^[35]

Fixtures

The draw for the 2025 Ulster Championship took place in October 2024. ^{[36] [37]}

Donegal v Derry

6 April 2025 2.00pm Preliminary round

Report

Donegal	1–25 – 1–15	Derry
Gls: D. Ó Baoill Pts: D. Ó Baoill 4 (2 tp), P. McBrearty 7 (3 fs); P. Mogan, C. O’Donnell, S. O’Donnell C. Moore, M. Murphy (1f) 2 each; F. Roarty, R. McHugh, J. Brennan, O. Gallen, 1 each.		Gls: B. Rogers 5 (2 tp), S. McGuigan 4fs, L. Murray 2 (1f), C. Doherty 2 (1tp); P. McGrogan, N. Toner 1 each. Pts: D. Higgins 1

MacCumhaill Park , Ballybofey Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare) Attendance: 15,023

Monaghan v Donegal

20 April 2025 Quarter-final

Report [38]

Monaghan	0–21 – 0–23	Donegal

St Tiernach's Park , Clones Attendance: 16,120

Down v Donegal

BBC [39]

27 April 2025 15:00 Semi-final

Report [40]

Down	0–16 – 1–19	Donegal

St Tiernach’s Park , Clones Attendance: 9,221

Armagh v Donegal

10 May 2025 17:25 Final

Report

Armagh	0–28 – 2–23	Donegal

St Tiernach's Park , Clones Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare) Attendance: 28,788 [41]

Bracket

	Preliminary round v t e					Quarter-finals					Semi-finals					Final
						Antrim		1-23
						Armagh		1-34
											Armagh		0-23
											Tyrone		0-22
						Tyrone		1-24
						Cavan		0-20
																Armagh		0-28
																Donegal		2-23 (a.e.t.)
						Fermanagh		0-23
						Down		2-19
											Down		0-16
	Donegal		1-25								Donegal		1-19
	Derry		1-15			Monaghan		0-21
						Donegal		0-23

Awards

The Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game selected Brendan McCole, Michael Langan, Michael Murphy and Conor O'Donnell on its Team of the Year. ^[42]

References

1. "Press release". donegalgaa.ie. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
2. "Donegal GAA confirm Michael Murphy's return". highlandradio.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
3. "Donegal legend Michael Murphy to make sensational return to county fold under Jim McGuinness". independent.ie. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
4. "Rumours abound but Michael Murphy still has plenty to offer Donegal". donegallive.ie. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
5. "Michael Murphy return such a huge boost for Donegal football - Anthony Molloy". donegallive.ie. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. "Michael Murphy set for sensational Donegal return". gaeliclife.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
7. "Donegal rejoices as Michael Murphy comes out of retirement". hoganstand.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
8. "Peter Canavan and Maurice Deegan join GAA's Football Review Committee". RTÉ. 18 January 2025.
9. Niblock, Thomas (6 November 2024). "More on BBC Sport website shortly" . Retrieved 18 July 2025.
10. "Michael Murphy Reportedly Set For Donegal Comeback After Reversing Retirement Decision". balls.ie. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
11. "Michael Murphy ends intercounty retirement to rejoin Donegal footballers". irishtimes.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
12. "Joe Brolly Highlights Intrigue in Donegal Over Michael Murphy Goalkeeping Rumours". balls.ie. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
13. Bogue, Declan (2 January 2025). "The 10 major questions around Gaelic football in 2025". the42.ie. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
14. "The Rasputin of Gaelic football remains endlessly fascinating but he won't thwart Jim Gavin again". independent.ie. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
15. "Four more return to Donegal fold". hoganstand.com. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
16. "'I genuinely thought I was done with football' - Odhran McFadden Ferry". donegallive.ie. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
17. Comack, Tom (28 May 2023). "Eoghan McGettigan points the way for Naomh Conaill" . Retrieved 28 May 2023. Eoghan McGettigan continued his comeback from long term ACL injury for the victors with an impressive 0–6, with three of the points from play.
18. "Motivation not a problem for Regan and Naomh Conaill". Donegal News . 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023. …Eoghan McGettigan is now sidelined with a long-term injury.
19. McNulty, Chris (11 August 2021). "Naomh Conaill hit by McGettigan injury blow ahead of county final" . Retrieved 11 August 2021.
20. "Ulster GAA probing eligibility of Donegal teenager Finbarr[sic] Roarty". independent.ie. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
21. "Maurice Brosnan: McCole's masterclass sets up a heavyweight showdown with Clifford". irishexaminer.com. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
22. "Patience was a virtue for Eoghan Bán Gallagher during sideline spell for Donegal". donegallive.ie. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
23. "Donegal's Fixtures Announced for Allianz National League 2025". highlandradio.com. 30 November 2024.
24. "What time and TV channel is Donegal v Tyrone on today in the Allianz National Football League?". 16 March 2025.
25. "Kerry–Donegal & Leitrim–Laois Allianz Football League games both postponed". rte.ie. 25 January 2025.
26. Crossan, Brendan (2025-02-01). "New rules made to fit All-Ireland champions Armagh as they blitz Tyrone on home soil". The Irish News. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
27. Loughran, Neil (2025-02-08). "Donegal hold off Kerry to secure historic Killarney win against the Kingdom". The Irish News. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
28. "Donegal beat Armagh as Michael Murphy makes mighty return". 16 February 2025.
29. "Galway storm too strong for Donegal". 23 February 2025.
30. "TG4 to now show live coverage of Tyrone–Kerry after Kilkenny–Limerick postponement". Hogan Stand. 23 February 2025.
31. "Timely Donegal surge turns tables on winless Derry". rte.ie. 2 March 2025.
32. "Allianz FL D1: Tyrone boost survival hopes". 16 March 2025.
33. "Mayo emerge from Donegal battle with win and Allianz League final spot". rte.ie. 23 March 2025.
34. "Allianz FL D1: Armagh defeat Tyrone". www.gaa.ie. 1 February 2025.
35. "Finnbarr Roarty learning on his feet at this level – Brendan McCole". donegallive.ie. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
36. "2025 Provincial Football Championships draw". 12 October 2024.
37. "Provincial SFC 2025 draws: Donegal to face rivals Derry in Ulster preliminary round". independent.ie. 12 October 2024.
38. "Donegal squeeze through as Monaghan revival falls just short". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
39. Hannigan, Mary (27 April 2025). "TV View: Cork sparkle and Meath shock on day of many underpants". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 28 April 2025.
40. "Ulster SFC Semi Final: Donegal advance to provincial final". Ulster GAA. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
41. Lynch, Kieran. "Armagh endure more Ulster Final pain losing out to Donegal after extra-time". Newry Reporter. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
42. "David Clifford the Player of the Year as Kerry dominate Team of the Year selection". rte.ie. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.