Ryan Ferry breaks down all 39 teams in Donegal club football, and sees where they rank ahead of the 2020 season. Last year’s rankings in brackets.

1. Naomh Conaill (3)

It proved to be a wonderful 2019 for Naomh Conaill as they won the Dr Maguire Cup and reached the Ulster Senior Club Final. That eventually ended in disappointment against Kilcoo but they will look back fondly on a fine campaign and in particular the trilogy of county finals. After losing the last two deciders, their resilience and spirit was remarkable last year and the strength of their squad was really apparent as the year progressed. Naomh Conaill introduced Nathan Byrne to the senior ranks last season, and in Conor Roarty and Leo Dunphy they have youngsters that could make an impression in 2020 if they are given a chance. The Doctor is residing at Davy Brennan Memorial Park and that means that Naomh Conaill are the team to shoot down in the coming campaign.

2. Gaoth Dobhair (1)

Gaoth Dobhair weren’t far away in 2019, but they just weren’t at the level they were at in the previous season and they can’t have any great complaints about relinquishing the county crown. Their trainer Michael Boyle is said to be moving onto pastures new, but there is still plenty to work with in the Gaoth Dobhair camp. The likes of Steven McFadden and Cathal Gillespie impressed for their reserves this season, while Domhnall McBride, Eoin De Burca, and Daithi Roberts were part of the Donegal minors in 2019, and might bring some youthful exuberance if given a chance. The disappointment of this season should drive them on but they have ground to make up if they are to rediscover their 2018 form.

3. Kilcar (2)

Kilcar are another team who will look back at 2019 and ponder what might have been. They were deemed to be the team to beat as they raced through the league campaign without losing a match on their way to the Division 1 title. The group stages of the championship and quarter-finals also passed without much fuss, but when they finally came up against one of the big-hitters in the semi-final, the Towney club were found wanting. What was noticeable in their defeat to Gaoth Dobhair was that they didn’t make any changes, and that throws the spotlight on the depth of their squad, especially as Conor McShane and Michael Hegarty are coming to the end of their conclusions. Ryan McShane was a regular with the county minors this season and might have something to offer at senior level, but Kilcar need to find some variety under the guidance of new bainisteoir John McNulty.

4. St Eunan’s (4)

St Eunan’s are in the same position as they were in last year’s rankings, but it now feels like they are much closer to the top teams in the county. They drew with Gaoth Dobhair down in Magheragallon and were only beaten by a point against Naomh Conaill in the semi-final so it was a championship of progression for Richard Thornton’s side. The O’Donnell Park side were convincing Under 21 champions once again so there’s no doubt that there are talented players coming through. Their defence is as good as anything you would find in Ulster, but it’s in attack, where they need to find improvement, while a reliable left-footed free-taker is also needed. If they can solve those issues they won’t be far away in 2020.

5. Bundoran (8)

There’s no denying that there is a gulf after the top four, but Bundoran showed that they can mix it with the big boys on their day. They brought Gaoth Dobhair to extra-time in the quarter-finals, and perhaps with a little more belief, they may even have knocked them out. The Gaelic Park side have a seriously talented forward line. Most clubs will need two players to mark Jamie Brennan, while Alan Russell, Gary Clancy, Michael McEniff, and Timmy Govorov are all able to take a score. It’s at the back that they need to improve, and that will be the job for whoever takes on the managerial hotseat. Bundoran have reached the quarters in each of the last three seasons, and they will feel that a spot in the last four is achievable with the right draw.

6. St Michael’s (7)

St Michael’s failed to make it out of the group stages of the Donegal SFC this season, but they were very unlucky not to make it. The Creeslough/Dunfanaghy men were in the group of death, and were seconds away from qualification until Conall Dunne secured a draw for St Eunan’s. The reality is that St Michael’s are probably no longer contenders to win the Dr Maguire Cup, but they are still a team that nobody will want to run into. It will be interesting to see if Mark Anthony McGinley plays gaelic in 2020 as he will be with Finn Harps for the new season. Carlos O’Reilly is an exciting talent to keep an eye out for.

7. Killybegs (9)

Killybegs made it back-to-back promotions in the league this year, and will play in Division 1 in 2020. They also reached the quarter-finals of the senior championship, and that was particularly impressive considering that Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher was out injured. The Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park club reached both minor and Under 21 Championship semi-finals this year which augers well for the future, while some experienced players have also returned home. They may struggle in the league next year if they have to play without Gallagher and Hugh McFadden, but if they have a full side available in the championship, they should make the quarter-finals at least.

8. Glenswilly (5)

Glenswilly’s 2019 season was a contradiction from what we are used to. Usually they struggle to stay up in league and save their best football for the championship. However, it was the other way about this year as they stayed up easily in Division 1 and then exited the SFC at the quarter-final stage. That will be a disappointment and they probably don’t have the same fear factor as some of their older men begin to run out of road. Pauric Bonner is their new manager, and it will be interesting to see what approach he takes with county minors Kealan Dunleavy and Jack Gallagher ready to step up, while Gary McFadden should be back from injury after missing most of the 2019 season. They’ll always be dangerous with Michael Murphy in their ranks.

9. Sean MacCumhaill’s (6)

Sean MacCumhaill’s were in a really healthy position this time 12 months ago, but they didn’t kick on, and failed to stay up in Division 1, while they didn’t get out of the group stages of the championship. That was an underwhelming return given the talent that they have at their disposal. Paul Rouse and Seosamh MacCeallbhuí have been appointed as their new management team and they will be aiming to get the side back on track, and they should generate a bit of a buzz around the Twin Towns. Oisin Gallen could miss the early part of the year with a shoulder injury and that is a blow but he should be back for the business end of the season. Even if their star man misses a few matches, MacCumhaill’s should be in contention for promotion back to Division 1.

10. Ardara (11)

The 2019 season was a strange one for Ardara. They powered through the league campaign and were convincing winners of Division 2. Then the injuries started to hit and the loss of both Paddy McGrath and CJ Molloy to cruciate injuries were huge blows. The Pearse Memorial Park men were out of their depth in the group with St Michael’s, St Eunan’s and Gaoth Dobhair, but it was their performances in the relegation play-offs which will be most concerning, as they lost to Dungloe and were very fortunate to stay up at the last chance saloon against Malin. Division 1 might be a struggle even with Shane Whyte, Daryl Maguire, and Paul Walsh looking to break through, while they will be hoping for better luck this time around when the championship draw is made.

11) Termon (10)

Termon were tipped to be in the chase for promotion in Division 2 last term but that never materialised, while a defeat to Bundoran in their first group game more or less put an end to their championship hopes. However, there is huge optimism surrounding the Burn Road club after they won the Minor Championship this year despite the fact that most of the team were Under 17. The likes of Jamie Grant, Jack Alcorn, and Bobby McGettigan could all see action with the seniors next year, as would talented twins, Conor and Stephen Black if they commit to gaelic. It might be a few years before they fulfil their potential, but Termon – who will be under the guidance of Francie Friel next season – have the ability to secure a return to the top flight in 2020.

12. Milford (12)

The 2020 season will be a very interesting one at Moyle View Park as Milford move on without Danny O’Donnell who enjoyed four very successful years with the club. Last season ended on a disappointing note with a trimming in the championship from St Eunan’s, but it did come at the quarter-final stage, and few would have seen them reaching that juncture a couple of years ago. The question now is have they reached their limit or can they push on further again? Joey Cullen is out with a long-term injury while Luke Barrett’s involvement could be curtailed as he is the new Donegal minor manager, but Dylan Dorrian is a youngster that is likely to be blooded. Milford will be targeting a return to Division 1 football straight away, but that will test them.

13. Glenfin (13)

On the basis of their 2019 championship, Glenfin arguably had a better campaign than Milford but then the Pairc Tabhoige men failed to beat them in the group stages. Mark McGinty brought his team to the quarter-finals of the SFC in their first year back up at senior level and that was real progress while also introducing some young talent. Odhran, Kaine, and Aaron McGlynn showed what they can do and they should be mainstays for years to come. Frank McGlynn’s intercounty retirement should be a help to his club, and he should still be an excellent player for Glenfin even if he doesn’t have to push his body quite as hard any more. The An Gaeltacht Lar club have good youth coming through, and it’s time that they make a real push to make the top flight in the All-County League.

14. St Naul’s (19)

It was a season to remember for the St Naul’s club as they won the Intermediate Championship and the Under 21 ‘B’ title. The Mountcharles men were also unfortunate not to win promotion to the top tier. That is something that might be on their agenda next season, while they should be competitive and able to hold their own in the senior championship. Barry Meehan is not staying on as manager, but there is a decent panel of players for new bainisteoir Barry Doherty to work with. Shane Meehan, Thomas White, and Kyle Campbell could provide some youth and energy, and it will be important that they keep hold of all their existing players ahead of their return to senior football.

15. Cloughaneely (16)

Last year was an incredibly challenging one for the Cloughaneely club following the tragic deaths of John Harley and Daniel Scott. Their senior team carried themselves superbly through the season and their form in Division 1 was excellent. It seemed to suit them playing against the stronger sides, because they had their difficulties in the Intermediate Championship, and just about stumbled past a number of teams. Their hectic schedule eventually caught up with them in the final against St Naul’s. Jason McGee will miss the first half of the 2020 season, but Conor Coyle will be a useful addition and the Falcarragh side will still fancy their chances of staying in the top tier. However, the big one for Cloughaneely is the Intermediate championship, and real progress next term would be getting their hands on the Cathal McLaughlin Cup.

16. Aodh Ruadh (15)

We have been waiting for Aodh Ruadh’s crop of young talent to really push though at senior level, but so far it hasn’t happened. 2019 was another year when they went close in the Intermediate Championship, but failed to make it through to the final. That was the fifth successive season that they reached the last four in the Intermediate (they were beaten in the final in 2018), but didn’t get over the line. The Ballyshannon men weren’t helped by David Dolan’s long-term injury last season, while lively attacker David McGurrin opted to play with the reserves, and they really could be doing with him in the forward line. Senan Rooney should offer some freshness having played with the county minors for the last two years, and if they could get that trio working in harness, Aodh Ruadh might be able to push on and return to senior football in 2020.

17. Dungloe (18)

After a disastrous 2018 season, Dungloe steadied up last term, and finished mid-table in Division 2 which was a decent return. However, the Championship was again a disappointment as they failed to win any of their group games and ended up in the relegation play-offs. The Rosses men stayed up with an impressive win over Ardara, but they will be wary of regularly flirting with the trap door to Intermediate level. Dungloe did have a useful Under 16 team this year so they do have some talent coming through, and it’s important that they don’t drop down the ladder. Francie Martin won’t be returning as bainisteoir, and whoever the new manager is will be hoping for a decent draw in the Championship.

18. Naomh Columba (20)

Naomh Columba are another club with designs on winning the Intermediate title, but still have some way to go. They only reached the quarter-final stage in 2019, but the caveat attached to that is they were beaten by eventual champions St Naul’s and were nine points up at one stage in that game. They are a seasoned Division 2 team at this stage, and do boast the talent through the likes of Aaron Doherty, Lanty Molloy, and Ryan Gillespie to push on. The Glencolmcille club’s attacking artillery should be further boosted in 2020 with Eric Carr and Paul O’Hare – who both played for the county minors last season – able to play, and they really should be in the mix for Intermediate honours come next October.

19. Four Masters (14)

Four Masters probably caused the biggest shock in 2019 when they got the better of Glenswilly in the Donegal SFC, but that was a rare highlight in an underwhelming year at senior level for the Donegal Town club. After just about staying up in Division 2 in 2018, Four Masters succumbed to relegation this year, and for a club of their size they really should not be in the third tier. There is huge optimism as they won titles at Under 12, Under 13, Under 14, Under 16 and minor this year, and if they can get the conveyor belt to bring that talent through, they could be a force to be reckoned with over the next ten years. But the short term plan will surely be just to win promotion in the league, and with Richard O’Rourke, Shay Travers, and Alex McCalmont now eligible for the seniors, they will fancy their chances of achieving that goal.

20. Naomh Brid (22)

Naomh Brid suffered with an inconsistent league campaign in Division 3 in 2019, but they saved their best football for the championship. They should have beaten Cloughaneely, while they did get past Red Hugh’s in the quarter-final. That sent them through to the semi-finals, and they may have some regrets over their defeat to St Naul’s as the eventual champions only beat them by a point. Ryan Brogan really caught the eye last year with a number of fine performances, and that took some of the pressure off his brother Darragh. Matt Gallagher has stepped down as manager after only one season, and Dougie Corbett will be returning into the hotseat. The Monaghan native will have Naomh Brid well drilled, and they should make the latter stages of the Intermediate Championship once again.

21. Buncrana (21)

It was a mixed year for Buncrana as they were relegated from Division 2 without much of a battle. However, when the pressure was on them in the Donegal Junior Championship, they did what they had to do and got the results to return to Intermediate football. The men from the Scarvey should never have found themselves at that level, and first and foremost they need to ensure they don’t go straight back down in the Championship. However, given the talent that they do possess, they really should be able to kick on and have a say in the Intermediate. Former Donegal minor manager Gary Duffy has taken over from Malachy McCann, and he will look for further progression in 2020.

22. Red Hugh’s (23)

After a very successful 2018 campaign, it was always going to be difficult for Red Hugh’s to push on the following year, and they weren’t helped by Seosamh Mac Ceallbhuí stepping down before the new season. They were never really in the promotion picture in the third tier of the All-County League, but did make it through to the quarter-finals of the Intermediate Championship. Jack Gillespie and Darragh McMenamin were blooded in 2019, while Jack Bradley will be able to line out in the forward line along with big brother Calvin next term. Red Hugh’s will have to do without Stephen McMenamin for some of the league, but if they could get off to a good start, they could be in the mix for promotion in Division 3 in 2020.

23. Malin (17)

It’s been a downward trajectory for Malin over the last few years, and that continued in 2019 as they dropped down to Intermediate football. That came as no great surprise as they struggled at senior level, even if they really should have beaten Ardara in the play-off. Some of their most talented soccer players like the Byrnes (Michael and Matthew), Terence Doherty and John Gerard McLaughlin didn’t play last season and they were really missed. The Connolly Park men will need to get some of them back if they are to get back to senior grade in 2020. The feeling is that Robert Farren may persist with his new-look side, and a good run at Division 3 might bring them on.

24. Downings (25)

Downings were kicking themselves at the end of last season, as a sloppy final month put a negative end on their campaign. Up until that point, everything was going great for the Rosguill men as they won the Division 3 League title and the All-Ireland Junior Gaeltacht title. They pushed St Naul’s hard in their first group game but from then on in, things went pear-shaped. Defeats to Naomh Muire, Aodh Ruadh and Naomh Ultan saw them relegated back to Junior, and they will be under pressure to get out of it straight away next term. Life in Division 2 will be tough, but their home form will help them, while in Johnny McGroddy and Kyle McFadden, they have two good young forwards coming through. St Eunan’s clubman Eddie Brennan is expected to join their management team in 2020.

25. St Mary’s Convoy (29)

Last year was an excellent one for St Mary’s Convoy as they won promotion up to Division 2. They fell short in the Junior Championship semi-final and while they will be disappointed with that, they didn’t have the physicality to match Buncrana. Like Downings, they won’t have it easy in the second tier, but Laurence McMullan will have them well drilled and fit. The loss of four players to emigration at the end of last season was a blow but they do have Matthew Coyle and Conal McDermott, who can join the senior ranks in 2020, and they are two good young players who have come up through the development squads. League survival will be an aim, but Junior Championship glory will surely be the number one target.

26. Letterkenny Gaels (32)

Letterkenny Gaels will look back on the 2019 season with fondness as they cruised to the Division 4 title, and reached their first Junior ‘A’ Championship Final. They gave Buncrana a scare in that decider before eventually coming up short. However they should be better for the experience and will look to progress further in 2020. It’s important that they establish themselves in the third tier and don’t drop down straight away. With good forwards at their disposal, they should be in the mix for Junior honours again. Ryan Graham and Liam McAlary are two players to keep an eye on going forward.

27. Naomh Colmcille (26)

There’s no doubt that Naomh Colmcille will be glad to see the back of the 2019 season. Their suspension following the playing of an unauthorised soccer tournament on club grounds cast a cloud over the season and saw them banned from playing home adult games for 12 weeks. Things didn’t go to plan for Dougie Corbett as manager and they had to concede a game against Malin which would have been unthinkable at the start of the year. There was improvement towards the end of the season and they were unfortunate not to qualify for the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship. Shane Monaghan is a lively forward who will help their attack next season and they will be hoping for a quieter and more productive 2020.

28. Gaeil Fhánada (25)

Gaeil Fhánada will have been frustrated with how 2019 turned out. They made a decent start to the year and were in the promotion picture in Division 3 for most of the season before tailing off towards the end of the campaign. An injury to their leading scorer Seami ‘Nanny’ Friel didn’t help their cause. Their championship didn’t go to plan as early defeats to Naomh Colmcille and Naomh Columba put them under pressure. A good win over Burt in Hibernian Park did keep them up, and they will aim to improve next season. Aidan McAteer is staying on for another year as manager, but it might be a year or two before they start to get the best from their 2018 minor group that won the Division 2 championship.

29. Burt (30)

One of the great mysteries of the 2019 season is what exactly went wrong for the Burt senior footballers. They led the way for the majority of the season in the third tier and look certainties to secure promotion. In fact, they only required one win from their final four games in the league but couldn’t find it. Their poor form continued into the championship, but they managed to turn the tide in their relegation play-off with Naomh Ultan and avoided the drop to Junior football which would have been a disaster for the Hibernian Park club. Burt did finish the year on a high by winning the Under 21 ‘C’ title, and they will be hoping that the likes of Oisin Kelly, Mark McElhinney, and Conor O’Donnell can transfer their form from that success back into senior level next season.

30. Naomh Muire (27)

Naomh Muire’s stock fell considerably in 2019 and they will start the next season in the bottom rung of the All-County League. That would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago when they were flying high in Division 2. However, a host of talented players who should be in their prime now have emigrated, and that meant they fielded a light and youthful team last term and were relegated. They did show improvement in the Championship, when they drew with Aodh Ruadh and beat Downings before going out tamely at the quarter-finals. The one highlight that the Lower Rosses men did have last year was a Division 1 Regional title that their minor team won and that augers well going forward, with Eoin Martin likely to provide some extra firepower next year. Their number one aim in 2020 will be to get out of Division 4 and they will be favourites to do that.

31. Naomh Ultan (28)

Naomh Ultan endured an injury-ravaged 2019 and their slim resources couldn’t handle that and they were relegated from Division 3. That was a blow to the Dunkineely men who had an excellent campaign the previous year. It looked like they would also make the drop in the Intermediate Championship as they lost to Naomh Brid, Cloughaneely, Red Hugh’s and Burt. However, against the odds, they then stayed up in the last chance saloon when they shocked Downings in Gaoth Dobhair. Alan Lyons’ return at the end of the season was crucial and he will be a big player next year, while Daniel Gallagher should also be back for the full season. Naomh Ultan are a tough and seasoned team and they will fancy their chances of winning promotion back up to Division 3 in 2020.

32. Moville (33)

The league season proved to be a success for Moville as they won promotion back to Division 3, and pushed Letterkenny Gaels hard for the league title. However, once again, they underperformed in the championship and that is sure to be frustrating for the Carrick Field side. They weren’t helped by Tony McClenaghan’s absence in the Championship or by the fact that they were in a three-team group, but when it came to the knock-out stages, they were well beaten by Buncrana. Moville have yo-yoed up and down from the third tier of the All County League too much in the past decade and it’s important that they manage to stabilise next term.

33. Urris (31)

Urris are sure to be annoyed at how their 2019 season played out. Once again they came up short in their bid to win promotion in Division 4, and they were guilty of losing too many games, especially as the room for error is so minimal in the fourth tier. However, their big disappointment undoubtedly came in the Championship when they were shocked by Na Rossa at the quarter-final stage. The Crampsey Park men feel they should be in contention for Junior honours, and it will be interesting to see how they fare under new bainisteoir David Hession, who has recruited a decent backroom team. Luke Doherty is a powerful big full-forward who has been involved with Donegal underage sides, and he should boost Urris’ attacking artillery next season.

34. Naomh Padraig, Muff (34)

Naomh Padraig, Muff had a much better league season in 2019 than they did the previous year as they picked up eight victories from their 16 games. And yet there is still a sense that they should be doing better considering the good underage teams they have had in recent seasons. They looked young and lightweight against Convoy in the Junior championship quarter-final so they still have a bit of work to do. Daniel McCauley, who has done a lot of coaching at underage level with the club and with Colaisti Inis Eoghin, has taken on the managerial reins for the new campaign and they will be hoping that their young side can take their game to another level and push towards the higher echelons of Division 4.

35. Na Rossa (35)

It is a real battle for Na Rossa just to survive as they struggle for numbers and get stretched at various points of the season. However, when they have everyone available, they are more than able to hold their own and we saw that in the Championship this year, when they pulled off a surprise to take out Urris. That showed what they can do but it is just a case of getting consistency throughout the season. Na Rossa do have a couple of players in the Buncrana Cup panel for 2020, so there is some talent coming through as long as they can keep the ship on the right track.

36. Carndonagh (35)

There’s no doubt that the injury picked up by rising star Conor O’Donnell sucked the life out of Carndonagh in 2019. O’Donnell is one of the most exciting young players in the county and was in training with the Donegal senior side when he ruptured his cruciate. Carn had started the season reasonably well, but really struggled without their talisman and failed to win a league game after his injury. The Foden men did have a good win over Lifford in the group stages of the championship before going out tamely at the quarter-final stage. Former county minors Danny Monagle and Anthony Doherty also missed last year through injury, and if they could get them as well as O’Donnell back on the field next season, there could be an upturn in their fortunes.

37. Robert Emmets (37)

The 2019 season was a steady one for the Robert Emmets club. They didn’t pick up as many points in the league as they did in 2018, but then it was arguably a more competitive Division 4 last year. The Castlefin club put in decent showings against Convoy and Urris in the championship, but they were always going to find it hard to advance from a three-team group. There was optimism at the end of the season as their Under 21 side went on a good run and were unlucky not to reach the ‘C’ Championship Final. The likes of Reece Gallagher and Eoin McMenamin were very effective in that competition, and Robert Emmets will be hoping that their young guns can push them on to another level in 2020.

38. Naomh Padraig, Lifford (39)

Naomh Padraig, Lifford were at a low ebb in 2018 as they struggled in Division 5, and the only way was up from there. Tyrone native Sean McConnell returned as manager and the first thing he did was get them back in Division 4 and the Junior ‘A’ Championship and that was a strong move. A poor start followed in the league, but they were more than competitive in the second half of the season, defeating Pettigo and Carndonagh. They also made an impressive opening to their Championship campaign with a draw against Na Rossa, but were unable to kick on after that and failed to make the quarter-finals. However, Naomh Padraig did make progress and they will be looking to push on again in 2020.

39. Pettigo (38)

It was probably always going to be difficult for Pettigo to push on in 2019 after they clinched the Junior ‘B’ Championship they craved the previous season. The border club started the season reasonably well recording a big win over Lifford, while they also defeated Robert Emmets in their last league match. However, the big disappointment was that they had to pull out from the Junior ‘A’ Championship and that was a blow not only to themselves but also to the competition in general as it lacked balance after that. They will be hoping for better again next year and will be helped by Matthew Gallagher, who was part of the Donegal minor squad last season.