Review of the year in Donegal: A journey to the final step

Second fiddle to Kerry

THE second season of Donegal under the return of Jim McGuinness went according to plan until the final Sunday.

From the moment Kerry won the All-Ireland final throw-in and Gavin White surged forward to make a point for Dylan Geaney after 11 seconds, Donegal were in trouble.

Kerry were on it. Paudie Clifford excelled in the space he was afforded with his brother David landing two pointers at crucial times to make sure the season’s biggest Sunday was played on their terms.

It was disappointing for Donegal after the county went into overdrive with everyone either believing or hoping Sam was on his way back to the hills.

If they are to go a step further in 2026, they’ll have to do it without Patrick McBrearty after his retirement last week.

Back-to-back

THE county’s love story with Clones on Ulster final day continued. The drama on the pitch was palpable.

Normal time wasn’t enough to separate themselves and Armagh. It looked like it would take more than extra-time. Niall O’Donnell had other ideas and 12 months after kicking important scores to land the Anglo Celt Cup, he popped up again.

Off the pitch it was another remarkable day with the Monaghan town’s streets thronged with people. It proved Jim McGuinness was right in his approach to the season.

A league final a week before their championship opener with Derry fell into second place behind a need for a Donegal return to the top in Ulster.

The rise of Finnbarr

NOT many players are instantly recognisable by their first name and Finnbarr Roarty has already earned that crown in Donegal.

He had an unbelievable breakthrough season in the Donegal defence. His bright-coloured boots were matched by his power, confidence and performances.

Few will forget him keeping possession in the dying embers of the Ulster final or his winning point for Naomh Conaill against Termon.

From the middle of the summer, he was the country’s nailed on Youth Player of the Year.

He also joined Michael Murphy, Michael Langan and Brendan McCole in picking up All-Stars. Shane and Conor O’Donnell can count themselves unlucky not to have joined them.

Burt land Ulster title

THERE was the bizarre situation where Burt failed to make the Donegal final but ended up as Ulster Junior Hurling Champions.

One part of it was Setanta making history by playing in Ulster at senior by virtue of being Ulster intermediate champions. It was excellent progress from a club thriving with the small ball.

St Eunan’s lost the Donegal final, leaving them to play at intermediate level in Ulster.

Burt and Lavey were left as the main contender for glory and it proved to be that way. The Donegal side had to do it with a player less but Conor Gartland was in sensational form to pull them back before they won the title with the last puck of extra-time.

Naomh Conaill return

NAOMH Conaill once again proved what brilliant champions they have been by getting their hands on the Dr Maguire Cup again.

Max Campbell’s goal pulled them out of the fire against Termon. Shea Malone kicked them out of a tight spot against Four Masters.

In the final, Malone was the hero again with a sensational two-point score to earn extra-time against Gaoth Dobhair.

It was a championship race embroiled the Termon 16th man incident against St Eunan’s and the Letterkenny club’s decision to file an appeal.

At intermediate level, Naomh Columba left their nearly man tag behind to finally land championship silver. It was the same for Carndonagh, who reversed their 2024 junior final defeat to celebrate success too.

Naomh Columba ladies were also champions in Donegal at junior level but lost to Killeevan in Ulster. At senior level, Yvonne Bonner again worked her magic as Glenfin turned the tables on Termon to land the silver.