Donegal county football team
2018 season
ManagerDeclan Bonner
StadiumMacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D17th (relegated)
All-Ireland SFCQuarter-finalist
Ulster SFCWinners
Dr McKenna CupWinners

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2018 season.

Personnel changes

Declan Bonner began his second spell in charge of the team. John McElholm was appointed team trainer and Gary Boyle coach. Paul Fisher led the strength and conditioning team, Ronan Doherty joined as nutritionist and Cathal Ellis was there as physiotherapist, psychologist Anthony McGrath and video analyst Chris Byrne.[1] Karl Lacey also became part of the coaching team ahead of the 2018 season.[2]

Nathan Mullins, son of former Dublin player Brian, played for Donegal during the 2018 season.[3][4] He made his debut against Queen's in the 2018 Dr McKenna Cup.[5]

Kevin McBrearty, who had first been called up ahead of the 2015 Dr McKenna Cup,[6] played in the 2018 National Football League.[7]

Goalkeeper Shaun Patton came into the team versus Kildare in the National Football League. He began training in January 2018.[8] Peter Boyle quit in a dispute over Patton replacing him in the team.[9] Mark Anthony McGinley, the other goalkeeper, also quit the county panel — and the sport entirely.[10]

Eoin McHugh was not involved for the 2018 season, electing to go to Boston instead.[11] Michael Carroll also left the panel.[12]

Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell both missed the 2018 championship after deciding to play for the under-20 team instead.[13]

Karl Lacey retired at the end of the previous season.[14]

Leo McLoone returned after voluntarily departing the previous year.[15] Likewise Odhrán Mac Niallais.[16] And Anthony Thompson.[17]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

Donegal won the McKenna Cup in 2018.

National Football League Division 1

Fixtures for the 2018 National League were announced on 13 October 2017.[18]

Table

Possible problem: 875 total for != 873 total against

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Galway 7 6 1 0 106 83 +23 13 Advance to Division 1 Final
2 Dublin 7 5 1 1 131 99 +32 11
3 Monaghan 7 5 0 2 106 100 +6 10
4 Tyrone 7 4 0 3 114 98 +16 8
5 Kerry 7 3 0 4 114 127 −13 6
6 Mayo 7 2 1 4 94 110 −16 5
7 Donegal 7 1 1 5 109 126 −17 3 Relegation to Division 2
8 Kildare 7 0 0 7 101 130 −29 0
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2018. Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: 1) League points 2) Where only two teams are level, the winner of the game between the two teams is ranked first 3) Scoring Difference 4) Highest Total Score For 5) A Play-Off.

Fixtures

Sunday, 28 January Kerry 2-18 (24) – 3-14 (23) Donegal Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
2:00pm Seán O'Shea 0-7 (0-4f), Paul Geaney 1-2 (0-1 pen), Stephen O'Brien 1-1, Barry John Keane 0-2, Gavin Crowley, Ronan Shanahan, Micheál Burns, David Clifford (0-1f), Daithi Casey, Killian Spillane 0-1 each Report Paddy McBrearty 0-10 (0-8f), Odhran MacNiallais 1-2, Tony McCleneghan and Darach O'Connor 1-0 each, Jamie Brennan and Stephen McBrearty 0-1 each Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
Man of the Match: Paddy McBrearty (Kilcar)
Sunday, 4 February Donegal 0-14 (14) – 1-12 (15) Galway O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny
2:30pm Paddy McBrearty 0-9 (0-6f), Stephen McBrearty 0-2, Ryan McHugh, Paul Brennan, Ciaran McGinley 0-1 each Report Shane Walsh 0-6 (0-4f), Eamonn Brannigan 1-0, Damien Comer 0-3, Johnny Heaney, Paul Conroy, Sean Armstrong 0-1 each Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)
Saturday, February 10 Dublin 0-20 (20) – 0-15 (15) Donegal Croke Park, Dublin
7:00pm Niall Scully and Colm Basquel (0-1f) 0-4 each, Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny, Paul Mannion (0-1f) 0-2 each, Eric Lowndes, Brian Howard, Paddy Andrews, Eoghan O'Gara, Ciaran Reddin, Paddy Small 0-1 each Report Paddy McBrearty 0-7 (0-3f), Ryan McHugh, Stephen McBrearty, Jamie Brennan 0-2 each, Mark McHugh and Ciarán Thompson 0-1 each Attendance: 21,400
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
Man of the Match: Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's)
Sunday, February 25 Donegal 1-15 (18) – 3-07 (16) Kildare Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon
2:00pm Report
Saturday, March 10 Tyrone 2-13 (19) – 1-10 (13) Donegal Healy Park, Omagh
7:00 pm Lee Brennan 0-5 (0-4f), Niall Sludden and Mark Bradley 1-1 each, Conor McAliskey 0-3f, Niall Morgan (0-1f), Cathal McShane, Peter Harte 0-1 each Report Odhran Mac Niallais 1-2, Michael Murphy 0-3f, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Eamonn Doherty, Hugh McFadden, Mark McHugh, Stephen McBrearty 0-1 each Attendance: 5,850
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)
Sunday, March 18 Monaghan 1-16 (19) – 1-10 (13) Donegal St Tiernach's Park, Clones
2:00pm Report
Sunday, March 25 Donegal 0-13 (13) – 0-13 (13) Mayo MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
3:00pm Paddy McBrearty 0-4 (0-2f), Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Jamie Brennan, Michael Murphy (0-1f) 0-2 each, Frank McGlynn, Ciarán Thompson, Odhran MacNiallais 0-1 each Report Conor Loftus 0-6 (0-5f), Andy Moran 0-3, Kevin McLoughlin 0-2, Eoin O'Donghue and Joason Doherty 0-1 each Attendance: 11,250
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
Man of the Match: Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)

Ulster Senior Football Championship

The draw for the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship took place on 19 October 2017.[19] Donegal won their first Ulster title for four years.

Bracket

Preliminary round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
Fermanagh 0-12
Armagh 0-7
Fermanagh 1-8
Monaghan 0-10
Tyrone 1-16
Monaghan 1-18
Fermanagh 0-12
Donegal 2-18
Down 1-18
Antrim 0-14
Down 1-12
Donegal 2-22
Derry 0-16
Donegal 2-20 Donegal 2-16
Cavan 1-15

Fixtures

BBC
deferred
13 May 2018 (2018-05-13)
4:00 pm
Preliminary Round
Donegal 2-20 (26) – (18) 1-15 Cavan
(HT: 1-10 – 1-06)
Gls: R. McHugh 1, C. Mulligan 1
Pts: M. Murphy 6 (3f), P. McBrearty 4, C. Thompson 3, M. Langan 3, J. Brennan 2, C. Ward 1, L. McLoone 1		 Gls: C. O'Reilly 1
Pts: G. McKiernan 7 (2f), C. O'Reilly 3 (3f), C. Mackey 2 (1f), N. Murray 1, B. Magee 1, A. Cole 1
Páirc MacCumhaill, Ballybofey
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
Attendance: 9,612
BBC
deferred
27 May 2018 (2018-05-27)
4:00 pm
Quarter-Final D
Derry 0-16 (16) – (22) 2-16 Donegal
(HT: 0-07 – 1-10)

Pts: E Bradley 8 (5f), M Lynch 5 (4f), J Kielt 2, N Toner 1		 Gls: H McFadden 1, C Mulligan 1
Pts: P McBrearty 8 (3f), L McLoone 3, M Murphy 2 (1 ’45), R McHugh 2, J Brennan (0-01)
Celtic Park, Derry
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)
Attendance: 9,356
BBC
deferred
10 June 2018 (2018-06-10)
4:00 pm
Semi-Final 2
Down 1-12 (15) – (28) 2-22 Donegal
(HT: 0-07 – 1-12)
Gls: N Donnelly 1
Pts: D O’Hare 4 (3f), C Harrison 4, C Maginn 2, C Mooney 1, N Donnelly 1		 Gls: L McLoone 1, J Brennan 1
Pts: P McBrearty 6 (3f), M Murphy 5 (3f), J Brennan 3, P Brennan 2, R McHugh 2, C Ward 1, C Thompson 1, S McMenamin 1, M McHugh 1
St Tiernach's Park, Clones
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
Attendance: 12,051
24 June 2018
2:00pm
Ulster Final
Fermanagh 0-12 (12) – (24) 2-18 Donegal
(HT: 0-05 – 2-07)

Pts: Sean Quigley 5 (5f), Seamus Quigley 3 (1f), B Mulrone 1, E Donnelly 1, C Jones 1, C Corrigan 1		 Gls: EB Gallagher 1, R McHugh 1
Pts: M Murphy 4 (3f), C Thompson 3 (1f), P Brennan 2, P McGrath 1, EB Gallagher 1, O MacNiallais 1, M Langan 1, P McBrearty 1, J Brennan 1, M McHugh 1, D O’Connor 1
St. Tiernach's Park, Clones
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
Attendance: 28,150

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Quarter-finals Group 2 table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Dublin 3 3 0 0 74 52 +22 6 Advance to semi-finals
2 Tyrone 3 2 0 1 73 51 +22 4
3 Donegal 3 1 0 2 52 57 −5 2
4 Roscommon 3 0 0 3 53 92 −39 0
Updated to match(es) played on 5 August 2018. Source: GAA.ie

Fixtures

14 July 2018 (2018-07-14) Phase 1 Dublin 2-15 (21) – (16) 0-16 Donegal Dublin  
19:00 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 1-09 – 0-08) Venue: Croke Park
Gls: N Scully 2
Pts: D Rock 7 (5f, 1 '45'), B Howard 2, C Costello 2, P Flynn 2, C Kilkenny 1, J McCarthy 1		 Report
Pts: M Murphy 6 (3f, 1 '45'), J Brennan 3, M Langan 2, R McHugh 2, C Thompson 1, F McGlynn 1, É Doherty 1		 Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
Attendance: 53,501 (double header)
TV: RTÉ


21 July 2018 (2018-07-21) Phase 2 Roscommon 0-13 (13) – (20) 0-20 Donegal Roscommon  
17:00 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 0-05 – 0-10) Venue: Dr Hyde Park

Pts: C Murtagh 5 (3f), D Murtagh 2, B Stack 2, C Lennon 2, C Compton 1, E Smith 1		 Report
Pts: M Murphy 9 (3f, 1'45), OM Niallais 4, C Thompson 2 (1f), M Langan 1, L McLoone 1, J Brennan 1, R McHugh 1, M Reilly 1		 Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down)
Attendance: 9,583
TV: Sky Sports


5 August 2018 (2018-08-05) Phase 3 Donegal 1-13 (16) – (23) 2-17 Tyrone Ballybofey  
15:30 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 1-06 – 0-06) Venue: MacCumhaill Park
Gls: M Murphy 1
Pts: J Brennan 3, M Murphy 2 (1f, 1 45’), OM Niallais 2, P McGrath 1, EB Gallagher 1, M Langan 1, R McHugh 1, C Thompson 1, N O’Donnell 1		 Report Gls: H Loughran 1, D McClure 1
Pts: L Brennan 4 (1f), C McAliskey 2 (2f), P Hampsey 2, M Donnelly 2, N Morgan 1 (1f), R McNamee 1, T McCann 1, P Harte 1 (1f), C Cavanagh 1, M Bradley 1, K McGeary 1		 Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
Attendance: 16,242
TV: RTÉ


Management team

Confirmed in November 2017:[20]

Awards

Player of the Year

Eoghan Bán Gallagher[27]

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

Donegal News Sports Personality of the Month

Eoghan Bán Gallagher: June[34]

The Irish News Ulster All Stars

Eoghan Bán Gallagher (first appearance), Michael Murphy (sixth appearance) and Ryan McHugh (fourth appearance) were all included.[35]

The Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game selected Eoghan Bán Gallagher at left corner-back on its Team of the Year.[36]

All Stars

Ryan McHugh won an All Star. Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Michael Murphy were also nominated.[37]

Pos. Player Team Appearances
GK Rory Beggan Monaghan 1
RCB Jonny Cooper Dublin 2
FB Colm Cavanagh Tyrone 2
LCB Pádraig Hampsey Tyrone 1
RWB Karl O'Connell Monaghan 1
CB James McCarthy Dublin 3
LWB Jack McCaffrey Dublin 3
MD Brian FentonFOTY Dublin 3
MD Brian Howard Dublin 1
RWF Paul Mannion Dublin 2
CF Ciarán Kilkenny Dublin 3
LWF Ryan McHugh Donegal 2
RCF David Clifford Kerry 1
FF Conor McManus Monaghan 3
LCF Ian Burke Galway 1
County breakdown
  • Dublin = 7
  • Monaghan = 3
  • Tyrone = 2
  • Kerry = 1
  • Donegal = 1
  • Galway = 1

References

  1. ↑ McNulty, Chris (10 October 2017). "Declan Bonner's backroom team ratified by county committee". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  2. ↑ O'Toole, Fintan (10 October 2017). "Multi All-Star winner confirmed as part of Donegal's coaching team for next season". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Nathan Mullins not content to give up on Donegal dream". The Irish News. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020. Nathan Mullins joined the Donegal squad amid much fanfare ahead of the 2018 season and the son of Dublin legend Brian was instantly handed National League starts against Dublin and Kerry. The holder of an Ulster medal from that summer, the St Vincent's clubman tells Cahair O'Kane about how that year unfolded and why he hasn't given up hope yet of playing for Donegal again…
  4. ↑ "Mullins set to join Donegal panel". Donegal News. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017.
  5. ↑ McLaughlin, Gerry (4 January 2018). "Michael Langan impresses as Donegal get the better of Queen's". The Irish News. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Walsh, Harry (21 December 2014). "Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel". Donegal News. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Other new names on the Donegal panel include… Kevin McBrearty (Four Masters)…
  7. ↑ Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Dollery, Paul (14 January 2018). "From a League of Ireland debut at 16 to the Donegal senior panel in 2018: Shaun Patton is leaving professional football behind to pursue success in a different code". The42.ie. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  9. ↑ McLaughlin, Gerry (8 March 2018). "Mark Anthony McGinley return a boost for Donegal". The Irish News. Retrieved 8 March 2018. Boyle quit the panel after the match against Kildare in Ballyshannon after former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Shaun Patton replaced him for that match.
  10. ↑ "McGinley has no regrets". Donegal News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019. McGinley was part of the Donegal panel at the start of the year, and the goalkeeper position was rotated between him and Shaun Patton in the early stages of the league. Eventually Donegal manager Declan Bonner decided to go with Patton as his first choice on St Patrick's weekend, and McGinley decided shortly after that to leave the panel.
  11. ↑ "McHugh chasing elusive first medal". Donegal News. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019. [Eoin] McHugh took a year out from the Donegal camp last season and headed to Boston, and he subsequently missed out as the senior squad landed the Anglo Celt Cup. Jason McGee was also missing for that triumph, but he has an Ulster Minor Championship medal, so that leaves McHugh and newbies Oisin Gallen and Aaron Doherty as the only members of the squad who haven't claimed provincial honours with the county.
  12. ↑ McNulty, Chris (13 February 2019). "Micheál Carroll will 'put shoulder to the wheel' for Donegal again in 2019". Retrieved 13 February 2019. Carroll took a step back from the Donegal panel last spring…
  13. ↑ Cannon, Chris (27 May 2018). "Niall O'Donnell joins Donegal U-20s panel". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  14. ↑ O'Brien, Kevin (31 August 2017). "Donegal's Karl Lacey announces his retirement from inter-county football: Lacey won one All-Ireland and four All-Stars during an exceptional 14-year career". The42.ie. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  15. ↑ McNulty, Chris (20 February 2019). "'A real leader' — Leo McLoone set for 100th Donegal appearance". Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  16. ↑ McNulty, Chris (24 September 2017). "Odhrán Mac Niallais and Leo McLoone set for Donegal returns: Duo opted out of panel in 2017 and have spent summer playing in New York". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  17. ↑ McNulty, Chris (9 March 2018). "Exclusive: 2012 All-Ireland winner to return from Donegal exile". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "Draft 2018 Allianz League fixtures released". Hogan Stand. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  19. ↑ The GAA [@officialgaa] (19 October 2017). "2018 @UlsterGAA SFC QFs @TyroneGAALive v @monaghangaa & @OfficialDownGAA v @AontroimGAA" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  21. 1 2 McLaughlin, Gerry (22 May 2019). "Paul McGonigle says Donegal are keeping their focus ahead of Fermanagh clash". The Irish News. Retrieved 22 May 2019. Donegal manager Declan Bonner together with assistant manager Paul McGonigle, coach Gary Boyle and selector Stephen Rochford before the McKenna Cup match against Queens at Ballybofey on Sunday December 30 2018.
  22. ↑ "Stephen Rochford joins Donegal backroom team after Karl Lacey's departure". BBC. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018. Rochford replaces Karl Lacey, who recently stepped away from the Donegal set up citing family reasons.
  23. ↑ "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  24. ↑ Watters, Andy (15 December 2020). "A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin". The Irish News. Retrieved 15 December 2020. But Paul Fisher, the man who has overseen that programme for the last six years has reluctantly decided that it is time to move on. With a gym to run, a family to support and a Masters to complete, the Letterkenny native has stepped down after playing a vital role in the successes of managers Jim McGuinness, Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner.
  25. 1 2 Craig, Frank (21 November 2020). "Morrison determined to make swift return". Donegal News. Retrieved 21 November 2020. 'But the Donegal medical team were on the ball right away. I'd two missed calls from Cathal Ellis before I even got my phone in my hand… Dr Kevin Moran organised the MRI for the Wednesday… Morrison anticipated bad news and was braced for the confirmation of Donegal physio Cathal Ellis' earlier prognosis.
  26. ↑ McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  27. ↑ "CLG Dhún na nGall County Banquet & Awards Night". 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  28. ↑ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  29. ↑ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  31. ↑ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  32. ↑ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  33. ↑ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  34. ↑ "Eoghan 'Ban' Gallagher savours Ulster triumph". Donegal News. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018. Gallagher was this week revealed as the Donegal News Sports Personality of the Month award winner for June, and he was happy to reflect back on that famous win.
  35. ↑ McNulty, Chris (14 September 2018). "Three Ulster All-Stars on a night of celebration for Donegal". Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  36. ↑ McNulty, Chris (2 September 2018). "Eoghan Ban Gallagher named on Sunday Game 'Team of the Year'". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  37. ↑ O'Toole, Fintan (12 September 2018). "12 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2018 All-Star football nominations: Tyrone, Monaghan, Galway, Kildare, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Fermanagh, Armagh and Carlow also have nominees". The42.ie. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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