DONEGAL’S 2024: Return of the magic

1 The boom is back in Donegal

THE return of Jim McGuinness as senior football manager lifted the spirits and expectation of an entire county.

The players were there but they needed to all row in behind something. And they did.

The wall around their training field in Convoy brought intrigue that there was something serious going on inside. And there was.

Donegal went about getting a plan in place that would be enough to see them back to Division One with the bonus beating Armagh in the final.

Then came the dismantling of league champions Derry on the way to the Ulster title and Donegal were prominent in everyone’s All-Ireland conversations.

It wasn’t enough and Galway were on the right side of small margins which leaves Donegal heading into 2025 as a serious contender for Sam.

2 Joy in Croker

THE county hurlers were again standing at the top of the Hogan Stand steps after winning a fourth Nickey Rackard Cup.

It took a brilliant second half comeback to see off the brave challenge of Mayo in HQ.

Josh Cronolly McGee was every bit the super sub as his goals in the 60th and 63rd minutes were ultimately the difference with Donegal holding strong at the other end.

Ruairí Campbell and Gerard Gilmore were also central to their success that helped to continue the momentum in the county.

Setanta were Ulster champions at intermediate level and there was also a consistent run of results from the county minor team. Combined, it should leave the senior county team well equipped to push on.

3 Downings on the up

WHAT a season it has been for the ladies footballers of Downings. Not long after forming their team, they are back pushing on and it will be another boost for the game in the county.

After winning the Donegal title, they had another adventure that took them all the way through Ulster. Winning the provincial title signalled the start of more celebrations and an All-Ireland series.

With their attack ticking along and a defence in no mood to give anything up easy, Barney Curran’s charges continued to win, progress and make memories.

Termon have been the benchmark for so long but now they have competition.

Dungloe won the Ulster title and their minors had a fine campaign in Ulster.

It won’t be long before Donegal ladies are back challenging for silverware.

4 What a story

SOME 35 years ago, an u-12 team was the sum of Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin’s club. That’s where it started in 1989.

Now, after two Donegal Junior final defeats, they are Donegal and Ulster champions.

With an attacking axis of Caolan McColgan and Kevin Lynch, they shot their way to Donegal glory, beating local rivals Carndonagh in the final.

Their Ulster campaign came in fits and start with McColgan and Lynch restricted to bit part roles with
injury. But when they played, they shone.

They never looked in any danger in the first round before Jonny Toye bossed their win over a fancied Collegeland.

The final against Craigbane was in the melting pot until McColgan and Lynch hit the net on the way to victory.

It was a success charged with emotion after losing their teammate Even Craig to a battle with cancer during the campaign.

The poem read out by captain Dermot Keaveney following his acceptance speech was very fitting. They never forgot Evan and never will.

5 St Eunan’s return

THERE was a fresh look in the race for the Dr Maguire Cup in more ways than one.

Firstly, with champions Naomh Conaill out of the reckoning, there was a chance for another name to be etched into the history books.

St Eunan’s were emerging as the title favourites but there was another story.

Dungloe. After a modest enough season when they failed to climb out of Division Two, they were an exciting chapter on their way to the final.

With their ladies lighting it up, the club was on a high but St Eunan’s were winners on final day. Termon were fancied to lift an intermediate title and they did.

Both teams came a cropper on the same night in Ulster. Termon were seven up before Derrylaughan reeled them in.

The Letterkenny men looked the likely winners against Errigal Ciaran with Shane O’Donnell to the fore before Ben McDonnell’s late showing put the Tyrone men through.