THE Donegal Club Championships begin next weekend.
Ryan Ferry selects 15 players to keep an eye on over the coming months.
Colm Ó Dochartaigh (Gaoth Dobhair)
It’s been a challenging campaign so far for Gaoth Dobhair as they were relegated from Division 1.
However, there will be a greater consistency to their team selection in the Championship.
There are still likely to be some changes from the side that went so close to glory last season only to lose the final in extra-time against Naomh Conaill.
One man who can add value to the side is Colm Ó Dochartaigh, who bring searing pace and a willingness to take players on.
Ó Dochartaigh is an exciting player and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the coming weeks.
Callum McGilloway (Letterkenny Gaels)
It’s a big Junior Championship for Letterkenny Gaels as they attempt to go one step further than last year when they lost in the Final to Carndonagh.
Aidy Glackin’s side have started the season well by winning the Division 3 League title.
Key to their progress has been the infusion of youth this season.
One of those to excel has been Callum McGilloway, who was a county minor last season.
McGilloway is a fit and athletic player and he has been a renowned shooter coming up through the ranks, and he is a real two-point threat.
The teenager will be a player to keep an eye on as the campaign progresses.
Cillian Doyle (Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin)
Doyle is a classy young player who has really brought his game to a new level over the last year.
He was part of the Donegal Under 20 squad this season and has really flourished for his club since that campaign ended.
Muff were without some key men during the league but Doyle stepped up and took on more responsibility and increased his scoring activities.
He is a player who knows where the posts are off both feet and he has a lovely step which is not easy to contain.
Shaun Carr (Gaeil Fhánada)
Gaeil Fhánada have plenty of options around the midfield but Carr has now established himself in the middle for his team.
He’s a game and honest player, who is excellent at fielding the ball in the midfield exchanges.
Fanad are a side that come into the Intermediate Championship off the back of a strong end to the league.
They haven’t reached the quarter-finals in the last two seasons but if Carr and his teammates can find the right form they could go deep.
Leo McHugh (Four Masters)
There’s huge focus on the young players breaking through with Four Masters considering their underage success.
Tomas Carr and Thomas Lenehan are two that could have a big say in attack but a returning face in defence could be influential.
Leo McHugh lined out when Masters were struggling in Division 3 of the All-County League and then went on to play for Ballyboden St Enda’s in Dublin before heading for Australia.
He is now back home and has brought strength, presence and experience to the Four Masters backline.
Keelan McGroddy (Downings)
It was only in 2025 that McGroddy was part of the Downings senior panel so he’s not exactly a new face.
However, he missed all of last year’s championship with an ACL injury.
It was a testing end to the league for Downings without Paddy McElwee and Johnny McGroddy but they will be back towards the end of the group phase.
Towering Meath midfielder Cian McBride will also be back in action for the Mevagh man.
Keelan McGroddy is a quick and dynamic player and it will be interesting to see where Downings utilise him.
Downings’ Keelan McGroddy
Luke McGuinness (St Eunan’s)
The midfield battle is so important in Gaelic Football these sdys and St Eunan’s have brought through another imposing figure.
McGuinness got a taste of senior action last season but is expected to feature more regularly this year.
The Ulster University student has the experience of playing with the Donegal Under 20s this season which will have brought them.
St Eunan’s will have high hopes going into the championship and McGuinness could develop into a key player.
Conor O’Neill (Malin)
Malin have been beaten in two of the last three Intermediate finals and it’s understandable that there is a real desire to get back to that stage this year.
It won’t be easy in what looks like a competitive championship but Malin have shown that they know how to win tight games.
They have a good set of forwards but that will be further bolstered when Conor O’Neill comes home from America.
O’Neill played for Donegal at Minor and Under 20 level and he is a quality finisher.
The Connolly Park residents will be hoping he can get up to speed quickly.
Mark Bonner (Glenswilly)
Mark Bonner missed the end of the league with a hand injury and Glenswilly will be hoping that can heal in a timely fashion.
There is a rawness to how he plays as he is pacey and direct and likes to take players on.
He also knows where the posts are and isn’t afraid to pull the trigger.
Glenswilly could line him out anywhere in the middle eight and if he has space to work with, he could do damage.
Joey Gillespie (Naomh Muire)
Naomh Muire are expected to be without chief marksman Eoin Martin for the start of the championship so they will need others to step up.
One of those who could fill the void is Joey Gillespie.
He’s not a new face as he has played for a number of years but has really upped his game over the last 12 months.
A strong player with a nice ciotog, Gillespie will be charged with providing scores as Naomh Muire eye up silverware in the Intermediate.
Kalvin McLaughlin (Carndonagh)
McLaughlin is a highly-rated player in Donegal who is in his first year of adult football.
He was up training with the county seniors this year even though he wasn’t eligible until next year.
He’s not the tallest but is strong and powerful for his age and forms a really good midfield partnership for Carndonagh with Sean O’Carroll.
McLaughlin is a good shooter and he will bring an extra threat to the Foden men this term.
Eoghan ‘Ban’ McNelis (Ardara)
Ardara’s championship last season promised much early on but ultimately they failed to make the knock-out stages of the Senior Football Championship.
However, there’s plenty of talent coming through which augers well for the future.
Eoghan ‘Ban’ McNelis was one of their star performers as they won the Under 21 ‘B’ title last year.
McNelis is a strong powerful player who can play half-forward or inside.
He’s a dangerous forward around the arc and Ardara will be hoping he can bring his best over the coming weeks.
Conor Gallagher (Red Hughs)
Red Hughs didn’t get the results they wanted in the league and they will be frustrated with relegation.
However, they only have to go back 12 months since they reached the Intermediate semis.
Conor Gallagher didn’t line out then as he was with the county minors.
He had a good campaign with the Red Hughs Under 21s after that and has made a seamless transition to senior football.
He has the height and frame to compete at midfield while he has regularly been contributing scores to his side.
John Toye (St Mary’s, Convoy)
St Mary’s, Convoy were only beaten by three points against eventual champions Carndonagh in the semi-finals last year.
They will feel they can go further this season and are helped by John Toye’s return to the team.
Toye wasn’t involved last year as he played his club football with St Jude’s in Dublin.
He’s back in the mix with his home club again and scoring forwards can make a telling difference come the business end of the campaign.
John James Sweeney (Termon)
Termon have a host of talented young players and John James Sweeney is one of those who consistently stands out.
He is a tall and rangy player with an excellent left foot.
Sweeney has starred coming up through the ranks and is now well established at right half-forward where he is a kick-out option.
The Kilmacrennan man is also renowned for scoring two-pointers which adds to his team’s artillery.