2019 Donegal county football team season

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Donegal county football team
2019 season
ManagerDeclan Bonner
StadiumMacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D22nd (promoted)
All-Ireland SFCQuarter-finalist
Ulster SFCWinners
Dr McKenna CupSemi-finalist
← 2018
2020 →

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2019 season.

Two players started all 18 matches in 2019: these were Jamie Brennan and Hugh McFadden. Niall O'Donnell played each match too, though only as a substitute in the championship meeting with Fermanagh. Paul Brennan only missed one of the eighteen games, though he began just five of these. Jason McGee played in all matches except for the 2019 National Football League fixture with Cork, which he missed due to suspension.[1]

Personnel changes[edit]

Oisín Gallen became an "impact sub" during the championship; this was despite him not being part of the Donegal panel at the start of the 2019 season. He was called up over the course of the McKenna Cup as Donegal were short on numbers.[1]

Aaron Doherty began training with the panel in April, shortly after Eoghan McGettigan joined.[2]

Cian Mulligan opted to depart from the panel.[3] Conor Morrison played six games in the 2019 season before deciding to depart in March.[3] In March, Martin McElhinney informed the team manager of his decision to withdraw from the panel, following the team's victory against Armagh in the 2019 National Football League. McElhinney had been an unused substitute in that game and the game before, though he had played in three earlier games of that year's league.[4] In April, Martin O'Reilly withdrew from the panel ahead of the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship after experiencing limited match time during the 2019 National Football League.[5]

Also opting to depart for the 2019 season were Kilcar trio Mark McHugh, Ciaran McGinley and Stephen McBrearty.[6] Following the death of a clubmate in a car accident in January 2019, Odhrán Mac Niallais opted out of the Donegal panel.[7]

Michael Carroll returned to the panel after leaving the previous year.[8]

Competitions[edit]

Dr McKenna Cup[edit]

Main article: 2019 Dr McKenna Cup

The 2019 season started with a 0–21 to 0–11 defeat of Queen's in the 2019 Dr McKenna Cup at MacCumhail Park on 30 December 2018. Ciarán Thompson was man of the match and scored four of Donegal's points.[1]

Donegal qualified for the semi-final.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PR Pts Qualification
1 Donegal 3 3 0 0 64 36 1.778 6 Advance to semi-final
2 Cavan 3 2 0 1 45 38 1.184 4
3 Down 3 1 0 2 52 41 1.268 2
4 Queen's University 3 0 0 3 22 68 0.324 0
Updated to match(es) played on 9 January 2019. Source: Ulster GAA

Fixtures[edit]

30 December 2018 (2018-12-30) Round 1 Donegal 0-21 (21) – (11) 0-11 Queen's University Ballybofey  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Páirc MacCumhaill
Report Referee: Niall McKenna


6 January 2019 (2019-01-06) Round 2 Down 0-10 (10) – (20) 1-17 Donegal Newry  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Páirc Esler
Report


9 January 2019 (2019-01-09) Round 3 Donegal 1-20 (23) – (15) 1-12 Cavan Ballybofey  
20:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Páirc MacCumhaill


13 January 2019 (2019-01-13)
14:00 GMT (UTC±0)
Semi-Final 1
Donegal 1-10 (13) – (14) 0-14 Armagh
(HT: 1-05 – 0-09)
Healy Park, Omagh
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)

National Football League Division 2[edit]

Main article: 2019 National Football League (Ireland)

Neil McGee equalled Colm McFadden's record of 173 appearances for Donegal when he came on as a second half substitute in the final round of the 2019 National Football League, a victory over Kildare.[9] He then broke McFadden's record with his 174th appearance for his county against Meath as a substitute in the final at Croke Park, also won by Donegal.[10]

Donegal qualified for the Division 2 final, and won the game.

Table[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Meath 7 6 0 1 111 84 +27 12 Advance to Division 2 Final
2 Donegal 7 5 0 2 112 94 +18 10
3 Fermanagh 7 3 2 2 69 74 −5 8
4 Kildare 7 3 1 3 87 93 −6 7
5 Armagh 7 2 2 3 101 97 +4 6
6 Clare 7 2 1 4 107 113 −6 5
7 Cork 7 2 1 4 91 112 −21 5 Relegation to Division 3
8 Tipperary 7 1 1 5 99 110 −11 3
Updated to match(es) played on 1 April 2019. Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: 1) League points; 2) Where two teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the League; 3) Score difference – subtracting the total scores against from the scores for; 4) Highest total score for; 5) Highest total goals for; 6) A play-off.


Fixtures[edit]

27 January 2019 (2019-01-27) Round 1 Clare 0-13 (13) – (16) 0-16 Donegal Ennis  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Cusack Park
Report Referee: Padraig O'Sullivan (Kerry)


2 February 2019 (2019-02-02) Round 2 Donegal 1-13 (16) – (14) 0-14 Meath Ballybofey  
19:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: MacCumhaill Park
Report Referee: Jerome Henry (Meath)


10 February 2019 (2019-02-10) Round 3 Tipperary 3-09 (18) – (13) 0-13 Donegal Thurles  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Semple Stadium
Report Report


24 February 2019 (2019-02-24) Round 4 Donegal 0-10 (10) – (13) 0-13 Fermanagh Letterkenny  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: O'Donnell Park
Report


2 March 2019 (2019-03-02) Round 5 Donegal 1-09 (12) – (11) 0-11 Armagh Ballybofey  
19:15 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: MacCumhaill Park
Report


16 March 2019 (2019-03-16) Round 6 Cork 1-12 (15) – (22) 1-19 Donegal Cork  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Pairc Uí Rinn
Report


24 March 2019 (2019-03-24) Round 7 Donegal 1-20 (23) – 0-10 (10) Kildare Ballyshannon  
14:00 GMT (UTC+0) Venue: Fr Tierney Park
Report


30 March 2019 (2019-03-30)
17:00 IST (UTC+1)
Final
Meath 1-15 (18) – (20) 1-17 Donegal
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary)

Ulster Senior Football Championship[edit]

Main article: 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship

Donegal retained the Ulster title.

Bracket[edit]

Preliminary round
12 May 2019 		Quarter-finals
18, 19, 25, 26 May 2019 		Semi-finals
2 & 8 June 2019 		Final
23 June 2019
Cavan 1-13
Monaghan 0-12
Cavan
(R) 		0-17
0-23
Armagh
(R) 		1-14
0-17
Down 3-13
Armagh 2-17
Cavan 2-16
Donegal 1-24
Fermanagh 0-09
Donegal 0-15
Donegal 1-16
Tyrone 0-15
Antrim 2-09
Tyrone 1-19 Tyrone 2-23
Derry 1-13

Fixtures[edit]

26 May 2019 (2019-05-26)
14:00 IST (UTC+1)
Quarter-Final C
Fermanagh 0-09 (09) – (15) 0-15 Donegal
(HT: 0-4 – 0-5)

Pts: Ultan Kelm 2, Conall Jones 2 (2f), Ciaran Corrigan 2, Ryan Jones 1, Seán Quigley 1, Barry Mulrone 1
Pts: Patrick McBrearty 5 (2f), Jamie Brennan 4, Michael Murphy 2, Michael Langan 1, Jason McGee 1, Leo McLoone 1, Ciarán Thompson 1
8 June 2019 (2019-06-08)
17:00 IST (UTC+1)
Semi-Final 2
Donegal 1-16 (19) – (15) 0-15 Tyrone
(HT: 1-9 – 0-5)
Gls: Jamie Brennan 1
Pts: Michael Murphy 5 (2f, 1 '45'), Jamie Brennan 3, Patrick McBrearty 3 (1f), Ryan McHugh 1, Michael Langan 1, Eoin McHugh 1, Hugh McFadden 1, Stephen McMenamin 1
Pts: Cathal McShane 4 (3f), Darren McCurry 3 (1f), Richard Donnelly 2, Kieran McGeary 2, Niall Morgan 2 (1f, 1 '45'), Michael Cassidy 1, Mattie Donnelly 1
23 June 2019 (2019-06-23)
14:00 IST (UTC+1)
Final
Cavan 2-16 (22) – (27) 1-24 Donegal
(HT: 0-5 – 0-13)
Gls: Conor Madden 1, Stephen Murray 1
Pts: Gearoid McKiernan 6 (2f), Dara McVeety 3, Conor Moynagh 1, Conor Brady 1, Oisin Pierson 1, Conor Madden 1, Cian Mackey 1, Caoimhin O'Reilly 1, Jack Brady 1		 Gls: Jamie Brennan 1
Pts: Patrick McBrearty 5 (1f), Jamie Brennan 4, Michael Murphy 4 (2f), Jason McGee 2, Ciarán Thompson 2, Ryan McHugh 1, Eoghan Bán Gallagher 1, Hugh McFadden 1, Niall O'Donnell 1, Michael Langan 1, Daire Ó Baoill 1, Oisín Gallen 1
St Tiernach's Park, Clones
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
Attendance: 28,780

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship[edit]

Main article: 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Quarter-finals Group 1 table[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Kerry 3 2 1 0 72 54 +18 5 Advance to semi-finals
2 Mayo 3 2 0 1 55 52 +3 4
3 Donegal 3 1 1 1 61 56 +5 3
4 Meath 3 0 0 3 46 72 −26 0
Updated to match(es) played on 3 August 2019. Source: [citation needed]

Fixtures[edit]

14 July 2019 (2019-07-14) Phase 1 Donegal 2-19 (25) – (16) 1-13 Meath Ballybofey  
14:00 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 1-9 – 0-8) Venue: MacCumhaill Park
Gls: Patrick McBrearty 1, Oisín Gallen 1
Pts: Patrick McBrearty 6 (2f), Michael Murphy 3 (1 '45'), Jamie Brennan 3, Ryan McHugh 2, Oisín Gallen 1, Niall O'Donnell 1, Michael Langan 1, Jason McGee 1, Eoin McHugh 1 		Report Gls: Mickey Newman 1 (1p)
Pts: Bryan McMahon 0-3, Mickey Newman 2 (1f), Cillian O'Sullivan 2, Bryan Menton 2, James Conlon 1, James McEntee 1, Shane McEntee 1, Darragh Campion 1 		Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
TV: Sky Sports


21 July 2019 (2019-07-21) Phase 2 Kerry 1-20 (23) – (23) 1-20 Donegal Dublin  
16:00 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 0-10 – 0-9) Venue: Croke Park
Gls: Paul Geaney 1
Pts: Paul Geaney 4, Sean O'Shea 4 (3f), David Clifford 3 (1f), Stephen O’Brien 3, Killian Spillane 3, Tom O’Sullivan 1, Jason Foley 1, Paul Murphy 1 		Report Gls: Michael Murphy 1 (1p)
Pts: Michael Murphy 7 (4f), Patrick McBrearty 5 (3f), Ryan McHugh 2, Oisín Gallen 2, Michael Langan 2, Jason McGee 1, Niall O’Donnell 1 		Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
TV: RTÉ


3 August 2019 (2019-08-03) Phase 3 Mayo 1-14 (17) – (13) 1-10 Donegal Castlebar  
18:00 IST (UTC+1) (HT: 1-7 – 0-4) Venue: MacHale Park
Gls: Cillian O’Connor 1
Pts: Cillian O’Connor 4 (4f), Paddy Durcan 3, James Carr 2, Andy Moran 2, Jason Doherty 1, Chris Barrett 1, Kevin McLoughlin 1 		Report Gls: Michael Murphy 1 (1p)
Pts: Michael Murphy 4 (2f) Paddy McBrearty 2, Niall O’Donnell 2, Daire Ó Baoill 2 		Referee: David Gough (Meath)
Attendance: 27,369
TV: Sky Sports


Management team[edit]

Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted:[11]

Awards[edit]

Footballer of the Year[edit]

Michael Murphy[18]

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week[edit]

The Irish News Ulster All Stars[edit]

Shaun Patton, Stephen McMenamin, Paddy McGrath, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan and Patrick McBrearty were all included, and Murphy was named Player of the Year.[38]

The Sunday Game Team of the Year[edit]

The Sunday Game selected Michael Murphy on its Team of the Year.[39]

All Stars[edit]

Michael Murphy won an All Star.[citation needed] Shaun Patton, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh, Jamie Brennan and Patrick McBrearty were also nominated.[40]

Pos. Player Team Appearances
GK Stephen CluxtonFOTY Dublin 6
RCB Michael Fitzsimons Dublin 2
FB Ronan McNamee Tyrone 1
LCB Tom O'Sullivan Kerry 1
RWB Patrick Durcan Mayo 1
CB Brian Howard Dublin 2
LWB Jack McCaffrey Dublin 4
MD Brian Fenton Dublin 4
MD David Moran Kerry 2
RWF Paul Mannion Dublin 3
CF Seán O'Shea Kerry 1
LWF Michael Murphy Donegal 3
RCF David Clifford Kerry 2
FF Cathal McShane Tyrone 1
LCF Con O'Callaghan Dublin 2
County breakdown
  • Dublin = 7
  • Kerry = 4
  • Tyrone = 2
  • Mayo = 1
  • Donegal = 1

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Ferry, Ryan (9 August 2019). "A–Z of Donegal's 2019 season". Donegal News. pp. 68–9.
  2. ^ McNulty, Chris (24 April 2019). "Aaron Doherty joins up with Donegal senior football squad". Retrieved 24 April 2019. The Naomh Columba man trained with Donegal last night for the first time, Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub can reveal… Bonner has also called up Naomh Conaill forward Eoghan McGettigan. Last week, McGettigan joined the senior ranks for the first time and, like Doherty, is now vying for a place in the Championship plans.
  3. ^ a b Ferry, Ryan (28 November 2019). "Bonner boosted by young guns return". Donegal News. p. 80.
  4. ^ McNulty, Chris (6 March 2019). "All-Ireland winner Martin McElhinney pulls out of Donegal panel". Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  5. ^ McNulty, Chris (15 April 2019). "Martin O'Reilly withdraws from Donegal squad". Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  6. ^ Craig, Frank (9 August 2019). "Kilcar lay league marker ahead of championship". Donegal News. p. 65.
  7. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (15 April 2019). "MacNiallais: 'I'm not going back. I just have no real interest in football at the minute': The Gaoth Dobhair midfielder won't be involved with Donegal this summer". The42.ie. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  8. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 February 2019). "Micheál Carroll will 'put shoulder to the wheel' for Donegal again in 2019". Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  9. ^ Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019. Neil McGee was introduced to equal the Donegal appearances record of Colm McFadden on 173.
  10. ^ "Record breaking Neil McGee on a memorable night at Croke Park". Highland Radio. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019. The Gaoth Dobhair full back broke the record for Donegal appearances on Saturday as he was launched from the bench in the first half to take to the field for the 174th time in a Donegal shirt…
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  12. ^ a b c 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ a b 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.
  17. ^ McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  18. ^ "County Awards Night — Saturday November 23rd". 14 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019.
  19. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  20. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  21. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  22. ^ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  23. ^ "Diarmuid O'Connor voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  24. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  25. ^ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  26. ^ "Michael Murphy voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  27. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  28. ^ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Jamie Brennan voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  30. ^ "Jamie Brennan is the GAA's Player of the Week". Highland Radio. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  31. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  32. ^ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  33. ^ "David Clifford voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  34. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  35. ^ "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  36. ^ "Michael Murphy voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week". 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  37. ^ "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  38. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 September 2019). "Murphy is Player of the Year as eight Donegal players get Ulster All-Stars". Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  39. ^ McNulty, Chris (15 September 2019). "Michael Murphy selected in Sunday Game Team of the Year". Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  40. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (27 September 2019). "13 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2019 All-Star football nominations: Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone, Meath, Roscommon, Armagh, Clare, Cavan and Cork also have nominees". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
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