A is for Anglo Celt Cup: After four long years, the Anglo Celt Cup is back residing in Donegal. Declan Bonner’s team defeated Cavan, Derry, Down, and Fermanagh on their way to Ulster glory.

B is for Breaking Rules: The GAA introduced a rule that said no team could conduct a training camp unless it is within 10 days of a Championship match. However Donegal defied that when they met up in Belfast during April in what was supposed to be a ‘club-only’ month. They weren’t the only county to break the rules, but it could see them lose a home league game in 2019.

C is for Comeback Star: Paddy McGrath tore his posterior cruciate ligament less than 12 months ago when playing for Ardara in the Club Championship. He faced a long spell on the sidelines but was back in time for the last two games of the league. The corner-back continued to improve as the season progressed, and concluded his campaign with a stunning point against Tyrone.

D is for Double-bounce: Donegal produced an excellent performance against Kerry in their league opener in Fitzgerald Stadium, but were denied a draw by a late Daithi Casey point. However, the Kerry forward double-bounced as he raced forward, and the score should have been disallowed.

E is for Eight Years: After 21 league and championship games, stretching back eight years to 2010, Donegal finally tasted defeat in MacCumhaill Park when they lost to Tyrone last week.

F is for False Alarm: There were fears that Conor Morrison had fractured his ankle when he trained after the Kildare League game. Thankfully, it didn’t prove to be serious and he was back in action two weeks later.

G is for Gum Shield: Donegal only managed to secure one victory in the league and that was against Kildare in Fr Tierney Park. Their cause was significantly helped after the Lillywhite’s captain Eoin Doyle received a second yellow card and a red for failing to wear a gum shield.

H is for Human Punchbag: Is there a player in the country that comes in for as much rough treatment as Ryan McHugh? The Kilcar man suffered a bad concussion in the league after a couple of hefty hits, but he was back in the firing line when he returned in the championship. Declan Bonner appealed for more protection for one of his most important players, but not much was forthcoming.

I is for Injury blow: Donegal people were on a high following the provincial triumph when word started to filter through that Patrick McBrearty had injured his cruciate ligament against Fermanagh. The Kilcar forward was in magnificent form before that, and they simply weren’t able to replace him. McBrearty is already on the road to recovery and should be back for the championship next term.

J is for Jackeens: Donegal came up against the All-Ireland champions Dublin twice this season in Croke Park, and while they gave a good account of themselves, they still lost out by five points. They aren’t a million miles off Jim Gavin’s Jackeens but there is still a sizeable gap that needs to be closed.

K is for (Pre-season) Kings dethroned: Tyrone have been the kings of the Dr McKenna Cup this decade, and were chasing their seventh title in-a-row in the Athletic Grounds, but Donegal defeated them by 1-16 to 1-12. It’s all about the silverware at the end of the day, isn’t it?

L is for Lazarus-like recovery: There was great disappointment when Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher went off with an elbow complaint against Roscommon, and his manager Declan Bonner said he was definitely out of the Tyrone match. However, fast forward two weeks and the Killybegs man had made a lazarus-like recovery to take his place in the team. He was brilliant in that game, as he was all season, and is surely in the reckoning for an All Star.

M is for Marching Orders: Three Donegal players were sent off during the season. Tony McClenaghan picked up two yellows against Kerry in the league, Caolan McGonigle was dismissed against Monaghan, and Neil McGee received his marching orders in the championship clash with Down.

N is for Neutral Venue: Donegal were not happy when their neutral game in the Super 8s against Dublin was fixed for Croke Park, where the Dubs also played their home match. The GAA agreed to meet officials from Donegal, and while the game went ahead at Headquarters, there could be tweaks moving forward.

O is for over-carrying: Donegal were on course to stay up in Division 1 of the All-County League as they led Mayo heading into the last minute. However, there was still time for Kevin McLoughlin to drill over a late equaliser which was enough to keep his team up. The fact that he took 13 steps and was guilty of over-carrying before shooting certainly didn’t help the Donegal mood after the match, and they will play in Division 2 in 2019.

P is for Postponements: Three of Donegal’s games this year were postponed. A frosty pitch meant that the McKenna Cup meeting with Monaghan was called off just seven days before throw-in, while the wintry weather saw the McKenna Cup semi-final with Armagh called off. Storm Emma also led to a full round of fixtures put off at the start of March, including Donegal’s meeting with Tyrone in Healy Park.

Q is for Quiz question: Who was the first man to score during Declan Bonner’s second term in charge of Donegal? It was Michael Langan with a free against Queen’s University.

R is for Rory: After managing Donegal for the last three years, fate would have it that Rory Gallagher would face his old team in the Ulster Final in his first year in charge of Fermanagh. Much of the focus was on him in the lead-up to the decider, and it was said that his inside knowledge of Donegal might give the Erne county an advantage. However, first half goals from Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher and Ryan McHugh sent Donegal on their way to a comfortable victory.

S is for Subplot: An interesting subplot on Ulster Final day was the presence of Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP Leader Arlene Foster in the stands. The Fermanagh native received widespread praise for attending, but we were pleased she wasn’t celebrating at the end of the game.

T is for Ticket Prices: The ticket prices for the Ulster Championship this season were ridiculous. Under 16s were charged €5 for entry, while it was €35 on the gate for a stand ticket. It was an expensive time for Donegal supporters as their team played seven championship games in 13 weeks, and it would have been a costly few months for good, honest GAA folk.

U is for Unwelcome visitor: A Donegal-born, Fermanagh-based journalist was told that he would not be welcome at the Erne county’s Press Event for the Ulster Final if he was filing copy for any Donegal newspaper. However, he was allowed to sign in as a national reporter.

V is for Virus: On two occasions this year against Dublin and Monaghan in the league, a virus struck down key players for Donegal, and caused a last-minute rethink.

W is for Withdrawals: There were a few withdrawals from the panel this year, with Peter Boyle, Jason McGee, and Michael Carroll leaving the squad, as did Niall O’Donnell, although he did return after the Ulster Championship. When you add in Eoin McHugh, who didn’t make himself available in 2018, Bonner may feel there are players within the county who could bolster his squad again next season.

X is for X-rated: Tyrone defender Ronan McNamee offered a one-finger gesture to the Donegal supporters after Declan McClure’s goal last Sunday. And his mother from Doochary and all.

Y is for Youth: Donegal manager used 40 players in total throughout the McKenna Cup, League, and Championship. Twenty three of those are under 25, and that figure doesn’t include Kieran Gillespie who didn’t feature this year after having hip surgery. The future is bright with a good age profile, but there is plenty of bulking and development needed over the next 12 months.

Z is for Zone out: After eight long months of action, our county stars will now take a deserved break and zone out from intercounty football. However, it won’t be long until January comes around and it’s time to get the jersey out for the McKenna Cup again. 2019 is sure to be another interesting year.