Donal Reid: Confessions of a Gaelic Footballer

‘Confessions of a Gaelic Footballer’, a book written by former Donegal senior footballer, Donal Reid, will be published next month.
The book, something of a labour of love by Reid, will be the first publication by any starting member of the historic first ever Donegal winning All-Ireland senior panel. It is also to mark the approach of the 25th anniversary of the breakthrough.
Reid, who writes a weekly column in the ‘Donegal Democrat’, says it has been a lifelong ambition to put into print the highs and lows of a life immersed in Gaelic football.
The book chronicles life in the Reid household as a young boy, school, college, work, marriage and especially football.
It also charts the major life changes which Reid experienced in more recent years; his life-changing trips to Medjugorje which has given him a whole new perspective on life.
The book is dedicated to his wife Maura and daughters Donna and Roisin and all proceeds from the sale of the publication will go towards Pieta House.
The launch of ‘Confessions of a Gaelic Footballer’ will take place in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town on Saturday, 22nd October at 8 pm.

Donal Reid profile
Donal Reid is one of a unique band of Donegal footballers who have All-Ireland medals at U-21, senior and masters level. After winning an U-14 title with Castlefin (now Robert Emmett’s) when there was no underage team in Killygordon, Donal has been to the fore with Red Hugh’s, Bundoran and Donegal.
A talented athlete in his younger days, Donal went on to manage Donegal at U-21 level and was turned down for the senior post.
He has managed clubs in Donegal and Tyrone and more recently was a physio with the Donegal team that won the county’s second All-Ireland title in 2012. Himself and Jim McGuinness provided the only link between Donegal’s two All-Ireland senior wins.
Appearances: 135
Championship: 28
League: 80
McKenna Cup: 21
Open-Centenary Cups: 6
Debut: 24 October, 1982, NFL (v Louth)
Championship debut: 1983 (v Armagh)
Honours: All-Ireland Senior 1992; McKenna Cup 1985; All-Ireland U-21 1982; All-Ireland Masters 2002, 2003; Ulster SFC 1983, 1990, 1992; Ulster U-21 FC 1982; Donegal League Division 1 1994; U-14 Championship 1975 (with Castlefin)

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