Donegal Junior Football Championship

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Donegal Junior Football Championship
Irish Craobh Peil Sóisear Dhún na nGall
Founded1932
Title holdersNaomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin (1st title)
Most titlesCastlefinn Robert Emmet's (7 titles)

The Donegal Junior Football Championship (abbreviated as Donegal JFC) is an annual football competition organised by Donegal GAA.

Contents

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin are the title holders (2024) defeating Carndonagh in the Final.

History

The competition has been won by 42 clubs, 24 of which have won it more than once. Castlefinn Robert Emmet's are the most successful club with seven titles to their credit.

Donegal senior footballer Marty Carlin scored 0–10 against Cill Chartha in the 1981 Donegal JFC final. [1] Other men to have won this competition and to have played at senior level for their county include Caolan McColgan, with his 2024 title added to the Ulster Senior Football Championship medal he won with Donegal earlier that year. [2]

Donegal county team manager Declan Bonner brought national attention to the competition when he lined out for his club Na Rossa in 2019, notably making saves while playing as goalkeeper when his team's regular goalkeeper transferred to New York. [3] [4] [5]

Honours

The winning club receives the Dr McCloskey Cup. The winning club is promoted to the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship for the following season.

The Donegal JFC winner qualifies for the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship. It is the only team from County Donegal to qualify for this competition. The Donegal JFC winner may enter the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship at either the preliminary round or the quarter-final stage. It often does well there, with the likes of Naomh Colmcille [6] and Red Hugh's [7] among the clubs from Donegal to win at least one Ulster Championship after winning the Donegal Junior Football Championship.

The Donegal JFC winner — by winning the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship — may qualify for the All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship, at which it would enter at the semi-final stage, providing it hasn't been drawn to face the British champions in the quarter-finals. This is what happened to Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin in the 2024–25 All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship. The club defeated Tara in the quarter-final in London, then defeated Kilmurry of Cork on penalties in the semi-final, before losing the final at Croke Park. [8] [9] [10]

Winners and finalists

Results by team

Results by team
#Team [a] WinsYears wonLast final lost
1Castlefinn / Robert Emmet's71945, 1951, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1987, 20022008
2Convoy61941, 1942, 1963, 1995, 2005, 20201992
Na Dúnaibh1948, 1957, 1977, 2012, 2016, 20212020
3Urris51979, 1989, 1999, 2001, 20142018
4Milford41990, 2000, 2004, 20132012
5Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)31932, 1944, 1955—
Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1938, 1939, 19591974
Donegal Town / Four Masters 1943, 1965, 19751968
Killygordon / Red Hugh's1946, 1981, 20182017
Carndonagh 1950, 1952, 20082024
St Naul's 1962, 1972, 19841954
Naomh Bríd 1986, 2003, 20062002
Naomh Colmcille1994, 2010, 20171998
6Glenties21933, 19641963
Na Rossa 1982, 20232006
Dunkineely/Naomh Ultan 1936, 20152014
Bundoran1960, 19661970
Ard an Rátha 1967, 19701980
Cill Chartha 1971, 19931989
St Michael's 1983, 19921971
Gaeil Fhánada 1985, 19971993
Buncrana 1988, 2019—
Naomh Muire 1991, 20072004
Moville1996, 20092023
7Rosses Rovers11934—
Letterkenny Gaels20222021
Gaoth Dobhair 19351982
An Clochán Liath 19371950
Dún Líonáin19401943
Corlea19471946
Liscooly1949—
Inch19581966
Mulroy Gaels1968—
Ranafast1969—
Termon 19731978
Naomh Columba 19741973
Na Cealla Beaga 19761975
Glenfin 19781977
St Eunan's 19801988
Malin 19981996
Burt 2011—
Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin20242016

Finals listed by year

YearWinnerScoreOpponentScoreWinning captainMan of the matchWinning manager
1932Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)1-2Glenties0-4
1933 [11] Glenties0-2Townawilly0-1
1934Rosses Rovers1-6 Donegal Town 0-0
1935 Gaoth Dobhair 4-3 Ard an Rátha 0-11
1936Dunkineely3-5Letterkenny1-0
1937 An Clochán Liath 3-2Cashelard1-0
1938 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 2-3Downstrands0-5
1939 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-5Castlefinn0-5
1940Dún Líonáin [12] 4-1Downstrands2-4
1941 [13] Convoy1-6Belleek [b] 0-4
1942Convoy2-7Kindrum1-4
1943 [c] Donegal Town 2-4Dún Líonáin1-6
1944Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)2-4Bundoran1-3
1945Castlefinn1-8Corlea0-5
1946Killygordon2-6Corlea0-3
1947Corlea5-5Na Dúnaibh0-2
1948Na Dúnaibh3-5 Cill Chartha 1-3
1949 [14] Liscooly1-6Glenties0-7
1950 Carndonagh 1-6 An Clochán Liath 1-2
1951Castlefinn2-5 St Naul's 1-4
1952 Carndonagh 2-7 Four Masters 1-0
1953Pettigo3-3 St Michael's 3-2
1954 [d] Castlefinn St Naul's
1955Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)2-12Na Dúnaibh0-1
1956Castlefinn2-6Bundoran1-4
1957 [15] Na Dúnaibh4-7Letterkenny Lámh Dearg3-2
1958Inch1-6Bundoran0-4
1959 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 4-7Crossroads0-2
1960Bundoran4-7Na Dúnaibh1-1
1961Castlefinn4-6Creeslough2-4
1962 St Naul's 5-4Creeslough1-3
1963Convoy2-7Glenties1-6
1964Glenties1-9Castlefinn0-3
1965 Four Masters 2-4 Ard an Rátha 1-6
1966Bundoran6-6Inch1-2
1967 Ard an Rátha 0-7Convoy0-5
1968Mulroy Gaels2-11 Four Masters 0-5
1969Ranafast2-9 St Michael's 0-10
1970 Ard an Rátha 2-8Bundoran1-8
1971 Cill Chartha 2-6 St Michael's 0-7
1972 St Naul's 0-9 Naomh Columba 0-7
1973 Termon 0-11 Naomh Columba 0-10
1974 Naomh Columba 1-5 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 0-3
1975 Four Masters 1-8 Na Cealla Beaga 1-6
1976 Na Cealla Beaga 1-11 Termon 1-5
1977Na Dúnaibh2-8 Glenfin 1-10
1978 Glenfin 0-10Termon0-6
1979Urris2-13 Gaoth Dobhair 1-2
1980 St Eunan's 0-13 Ard an Rátha 0-5
1981Red Hugh's2-14 Cill Chartha 0-4
1982 Na Rossa 3-4 Gaoth Dobhair B2-6
1983 St Michael's 1-15Milford0-7
1984 St Naul's 1-12Convoy2-6
1985 Gaeil Fhánada 3-4Seán Mac Cumhaills B0-7
1986 Naomh Bríd 0-9Robert Emmet's1-4
1987Robert Emmet's1-9Seán Mac Cumhaills B1-3
1988 Buncrana 3-6 St Eunan's B1-6
1989Urris3-7 Cill Chartha B1-6
1990Milford1-8Convoy1-6
1991 Naomh Muire 2-13Naomh Báithín1-4
1992 St Michael's 2-9Convoy0-9
1993 Cill Chartha 2-7 Gaeil Fhánada 0-9
1994Naomh Colmcille1-11Naomh Mura0-10
1995Convoy2-9Robert Emmet's0-6
1996Moville1-14 Malin 0-10
1997 Gaeil Fhánada 0-16Naomh Colmcille0-12
1998 Malin 0-13Naomh Colmcille0-9
1999Urris2-10Naomh Pádraig, Lifford1-5
2000Milford0-11 Glenswilly 0-10
2001Urris0-10Robert Emmet's0-7
2002Robert Emmet's1-16 Naomh Bríd 0-10
2003 Naomh Bríd 1-7Red Hugh's0-8
2004Milford0-13 Naomh Muire 0-12
2005 [16] Convoy0-10Naomh Pádraig, Lifford0-6
2006 Naomh Bríd 2-10 Na Rossa 0-6
2007 Naomh Muire 0-8Naomh Pádraig, Lifford0-7
2008 Carndonagh 0-11Robert Emmet's0-6
2009 [17] Moville1-9Milford0-10
2010 [18] Naomh Colmcille0-7Naomh Pádraig, Muff0-6
2011 [19] Burt 3-5Naomh Pádraig, Lifford1-3
2012Na Dúnaibh0-10Milford0-5
2013Milford2-9Urris2-6
2014Urris2-9 Naomh Ultan 0-8Danny Kelly [20]
2015 [21] Naomh Ultan 2-6Red Hugh's2-5
2016 [22] Na Dúnaibh0-11Naomh Pádraig, Muff1-7
2017 [1] [23] Naomh Colmcille2-7Red Hugh's0-8
2018 [24] Red Hugh's4-9Urris0-5
2019 [25] Buncrana 2-12Letterkenny Gaels2-8
2020 [26] Convoy3-10Na Dúnaibh1-3
2021 [27] Na Dúnaibh1-9Letterkenny Gaels0-3Ben McNuttDanny McBride
2022 [28] Letterkenny Gaels0-12 Carndonagh 0-10Conor BrowneRonan FrainDougie Corbett
2023 [29] Na Rossa 0-15Moville1-10Daniel MartinAidan McHugh Declan Bonner
2024 [2] Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin2-12 Carndonagh 0-8 ? ?Daniel McCauley

References

  1. 1 2 McNulty, Chris (14 October 2017). "Naomh Colmcille hold off Red Hugh's comeback for Junior Final glory" . Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  2. 1 2 Breslin, Conor (5 October 2024). "Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin secure Donegal JFC title with solid win over Carndonagh" . Retrieved 5 October 2024. Despite Carn's best efforts, Naomh Padraig manager Daniel McCauley can take great satisfaction in how well disciplined and organised his side was in defence forcing Carndonagh done blind alleys and forcing shots wide.
  3. ↑ McNulty, Chris (28 September 2019). "Declan Bonner to the fore as Na Rossa reach Junior semi-finals" . Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  4. ↑ McNulty, Chris (21 September 2019). "Declan Bonner plays as Na Rossa reach Junior quarter-finals" . Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Donegal boss Bonner on life as a 54-year-old goalkeeper". RTÉ Sport. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ulster club JFC final: Naomh Colmcille make history". Hogan Stand . 25 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Red Hugh's beat Limavady to win Ulster junior football title". The Irish News . 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Donaghy, Kathy (11 January 2025). "'We are trying to do him proud' — how loss of their teammate to cancer is spurring one Donegal GAA squad to unprecedented victory". Irish Independent . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Naomh Padraig advance to All-Ireland club JFC final with penalty shootout win over Kilmurray". Hogan Stand . 12 January 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Naomh Padraig edged out in All-Ireland Junior Club final". BBC Sport. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Donegal News". Donegal Democrat. Ballyshannon. 28 October 1933. p. 12. Retrieved 7 June 2020– via www.irishnewsarchive.com.
  12. ↑ Dún Líonáin or Fort Leenan were an army side based in the Carrigans area - http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/240661
  13. ↑ "Belleek defeated in Junior final". Donegal Democrat. Ballyshannon. 2 May 1942. p. 3. Retrieved 7 June 2020– via www.irishnewsarchive.com.
  14. ↑ "Liscooly win first championship title". The Derry People. Letterkenny. 15 October 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 7 June 2020– via www.irishnewsarchive.com.
  15. ↑ "Downings take county junior final". The Derry People. Letterkenny. 12 October 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 7 June 2020– via www.irishnewsarchive.com.
  16. ↑ "Convoy sweating on Dolan". Donegal News . 3 October 2019. p. 73. Laurence McMullan starred the last time Convoy won the Junior Championship in 2005 when he was 20…
  17. ↑ Porter, Liam (17 September 2009). "Moville hang on to clinch victory". Inishowen Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  18. ↑ Craig, Johnny (25 October 2010). "Naomh Colmcille are the Donegal Junior Champions". Inish Times. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  19. ↑ Foley, Alan (18 October 2011). "Burt make it a double with first ever Junior title" . Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  20. ↑ McNulty, Chris (23 January 2015). "John Paul Gallagher takes over at Cloughaneely as clubs gear up for new season". Donegal News . Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015. Donegal Junior champions Urris have also had a change of the guard as Mark Gilmore has been appointed to the hotseat at Straid. Danny Kelly led Urris to the Junior title, overcoming Naomh Ultan in the final and the Inishowen side went on a memorable march to the Ulster JFC final, where they lost out to Rock St Patrick's of Tyrone.
  21. ↑ Foley, Alan (10 October 2015). "Injury time winner means Naomh Ultan win dramatic Junior A final replay against Red Hugh's" . Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  22. ↑ McNulty, Chris (9 October 2016). "Dramatic finish sees Downings snatch victory over Muff in Junior A Final" . Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  23. ↑ McLaughlin, Gerry (16 October 2017). "Naomh Colmcille claim Donegal junior honours". The Irish News . Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  24. ↑ McNulty, Chris (13 October 2018). "James Carlin to the four as Red Hugh's finally end their wait for championship glory" . Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  25. ↑ McNulty, Chris (12 October 2019). "Buncrana's late surge takes Junior title from Letterkenny Gaels grasp" . Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  26. ↑ Foley, Alan (4 October 2020). "JFC winners St Mary's Convoy are singing in the rain" . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  27. ↑ Foley, Alan (14 November 2021). "Downings put right the wrongs of 2020 to win Junior A title with ease" . Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  28. ↑ McNulty, Chris (16 October 2022). "Letterkenny Gaels end their wait with JFC final win over Carndonagh" . Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  29. ↑ McLaughlin, Gerry (14 October 2023). "Brilliant Na Rossa clinch Junior A title at Moville's expense" . Retrieved 14 October 2023.

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Titles for clubs based in the same area and with a common heritage are aggregated.
  2. ↑ Fermanagh side Belleek contested the Donegal Junior final.
  3. ↑ Donegal County Board awarded the junior title to Donegal Town although the referee had noted the final score as Dún Líonáin 2-5 Donegal Town 2-4.
  4. ↑ Castlefinn awarded the final after St Naul's walked off the field with the score at St Naul's 1-1 Castlefinn 0-1.

Further reading

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