Ryan Ferry breaks down all 39 clubs in Donegal football and lists where they rank ahead of the 2024 season. Last year’s rankings in brackets.
1. Naomh Conaill (1)
Naomh Conaill remain top of the Donegal GAA tree. It was a super season for Martin Regan’s team as they won the league and championship double. They did have two tough matches against St Eunan’s in the championship drawing the first one before then winning the semi-final when the pressure was really on and they swatted Gaoth Dobhair aside in the decider. There may be some regrets that they didn’t defeat Glen in the Ulster semi-final, and a chance of provincial glory passed them by. That said, they will be in with a great shout of making it through to Ulster again next season, and it feels as if St Eunan’s are the only team that can possibly stop them from retaining the Dr Maguire Cup. Finnbarr Roarty is already part of the Donegal senior panel despite only being a minor in 2023, and he will bolster their efforts, although Ethan O’Donnell is expected to head off travelling for a period.
2. St Eunan’s (2)
It will have been a very frustrating season for St Eunan’s. After the disappointment of the 2022 county final, they were determined to put things right. They advanced through to the Division 1 league final despite having a host of players in America over the summer months but were beaten by Naomh Conaill. They drew with the Glenties club in the group phase of the Donegal SFC but when D-Day arrived, they were beaten in the championship semi-final. Rory Kavanagh subsequently stepped down and it will now be up to new boss Barry Meehan to try and lead them back to the Dr Maguire Cup. Oisin Scanlon is a good young player who could see some game time in 2024.
3. Gaoth Dobhair (4)
It was a slightly peculiar season for Gaoth Dobhair as they went all the way to the County Final without ever really hitting their best form. Ronan Mac Niallais and Francie Friel took on the management and the league wasn’t simple as a lot of their players went away abroad. They were beaten by Aodh Ruadh in the group stages before seeing off Dungloe in two close matches. Handsome wins over Ardara and Sean MacCumhaill’s helped them through to the County Final but there is the sense that it came a year or two too early and they were well beaten. Gaoth Dobhair did bounce back by winning the Under 21 ‘A’ Championship. However, they do need all their best players to be fully committed to the cause if they are to close the gap to the big boys next term.
4. Kilcar (3)
Kilcar went into the season with high hopes, but they ended 2023 looking like they have been cut further adrift from the top two clubs. Their league campaign wasn’t anything spectacular but Conor Cunningham’s team still went into the championship with belief. Patrick McBrearty and Ryan McHugh were back after long lay-offs but the loss of Andrew McClean was huge, and while they finished in the top four after the group phase, Naomh Conaill were too strong in the quarter-finals. There isn’t a huge amount of talent coming through and they have more work to do under a new bainisteoir to try and get back up to the top level once again but the Towney side remain a team that others don’t want to run into.
5. Aodh Ruadh (6)
It was another good campaign for Aodh Ruadh although they ultimately came up short once again in their bid to make the semi-finals of the Donegal SFC. The Ballyshannon men impressed in the league and finished in third position. They carried that good form into the group stages of the championship, winning all four games, and a victory at home to Gaoth Dobhair was a significant one for the panel. The lack of seeding didn’t help them in the last eight, but they were still second best against St Eunan’s in Convoy, and are just a bit off that top level. It’s going to be hard to break into that top bracket without a county player. John McNulty has stepped aside, but their Senior ‘B’ team had a great season and there are young players in that side who could step up and add to the senior ranks in 2024.
6. Sean MacCumhaill’s (10)
MacCumhaill’s didn’t pull up any trees during the league but they were excellent when the real action came around. Despite losing to Gaoth Dobhair on the first day out, they bounced back and won four of their next six matches, and also drew with Kilcar, before again coming unstuck against the Magheragallon side in the Championship. Central to their improvement were the brilliant displays from Oisin Gallen who was the best player in the championship. They also had six teenagers playing and they will be better for the experience. Gary Wilson is their new manager, and he will be aiming to get a bit more size and presence into the team and will be hoping the likes of Ronan McMenamin can stay fully fit. In Gallen, they have one of the top forwards in the country, and if he hits form, they will take plenty of stopping.
7. Glenswilly (6)
There is huge optimism within the Glenswilly club after a super season in which their Under 13 and Under 18 sides won Division 1 titles, while their Under 21s reached the ‘A’ Final. Their senior side also had a good campaign as they breezed to the Division 2 league crown, and won four of their six matches in the Championship. The Pairc Columba men did appear to be motoring well but they were beaten on the two occasions that they faced Division 1 opposition, and the defeat to MacCumhaill’s will sting. Pauric Bonner is no longer manager, and Caoimhin Marley has moved to Australia, and they will both be difficult voids to fill. However, Eoghan Scott and Mikey Toner are two good prospects and Glenswilly will believe they can have a say in next year’s championship.
8. Ardara (15)
A place in the top ten of the rankings would have seemed absurd for Ardara after an uninspiring league, but they really got the bit between their teeth in the Championship and played some great football. Granted, their fixtures were decent and despite being well beaten by Glenswilly and St Eunan’s, they won the home games they needed against Glenfin and Milford. Damien Devaney’s men were underdogs as they went to take on Cloughaneely but they proved much too strong for them, and then had a right cut at Gaoth Dobhair before losing out. The development of Karl Joseph Molloy is hugely encouraging for the Kentucky men, and they will look to stay on a positive trajectory in ’24. Darragh Hennigan was centre half-back for the county minors last season, and should be a useful addition.
9. Downings (14)
The year 2023 will go down as a special one in Downings’ history. They managed to stay up in Division 1 and claimed noteworthy triumphs against Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair on the way. The Mevagh men were questioned after they were well beaten by Termon in the Intermediate group stages. However, that result only seemed to spur them on and after safely navigating their way through to the semi-finals, they exacted revenge on the Burn Road club. Downings then backed that up by beating Malin and winning their first Intermediate title in thirty years. That means they will play senior championship football in 2024 and they will fancy themselves on home turf. Their management team from last year have moved on while key forward Lorcan Connor is expected to move to Australia and he will be a huge loss, even if young Callum Cullen is showing very well in schools football.
10. Cloughaneely (12)
There was always likely to be a bit of transition for Cloughaneely this season as Denis Doohan took on the reins, and a number of defenders headed off to pastures new before the season started. They also were without Jason McGee during the summer months, and were relegated in the league, meaning they will play Division 2 football next year for the first time since 2017. The group stages of the Donegal SFC went well as they beat Milford and Four Masters and battled hard against Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair. And yet, when they were expected to defeat Ardara in the Preliminary quarter-finals, they delivered a very flat performance. Cloughaneely won the Division 2 minor title this year, so there are players possibly coming through, and Lorcan McGee should have the size and physicality to go straight into the senior ranks. Doohan is staying on in the hotseat at Pairc Naomh Fionnan.
11. Four Masters (11)
This season followed a similar path to other recent campaigns for Four Masters, as they couldn’t secure promotion from Division 2, but yet had no trouble retaining their senior championship status. A win over Dungloe and a draw against St Michael’s sent them through to the Preliminary quarter-finals where they were then narrowly beaten by Sean MacCumhaill’s. Kevin Sinclair is staying on as manager and they should get stronger as their young stars develop even further. The Donegal Town club are back in the Ulster Minor Final, and the likes of Callum McCrea and Kevin Muldoon could make an instant impact at senior level. However, it is about time that they got back to Division 1 in the All-County League and they need to be more consistent in the spring.
12. Dungloe (13)
It was a year that promised plenty for Dungloe but didn’t quite deliver. After a great 2022, they carried on their momentum for a good part in the league but a couple of sloppy results saw them miss out on promotion. A dramatic late point gave them a win over Milford in the Senior Championship, but defeats against Four Masters, Glenswilly, and Gaoth Dobhair before the Magheragallon men defeated them again in the preliminary quarter-finals by one point. Ryan Greene has since headed back to Australia and he will be a loss but Danny Rodgers is back home from Oz and that’s a big help. Luke Clerkin really looked the part for the Donegal minors in 2023 and he could help them going forward.
13. St Naul’s (23)
After a poor 2022, St Naul’s can definitely look on the positives when they complete their end-of-year review. They didn’t want to be in Division 3 but did what they had to do to secure promotion even though their county players were absent for the most part. The Championship draw wasn’t kind as they had to play St Eunan’s, Glenswilly and Kilcar and they gave a good account of themselves without winning all of those matches. They did manage to beat Killybegs but still ended up in the relegation play-offs where the Fishermen exacted revenge. For the second year in-a-row, the Mountcharles men saved themselves at the last chance saloon, but there was no fluke about it, and they will feel with a nicer draw next season that could make an impact in the knock-out stages.
14. Killybegs (8)
It was somewhat of an underwhelming campaign for Killybegs. They were relegated in the league without really putting up a huge fight, and only had wins against Malin and Downings to show for their efforts. After being in the SFC quarter-finals in 2022, they would have been hoping for a decent showing this year, but injuries didn’t help, and they lost all four of their group matches. They did manage to see off St Naul’s in a play-off and will be happy to be safe and to move on quickly to next term. It won’t be easy in Division 2 with Hugh McFadden and Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher unlikely to play much, but they will definitely feel they can make a better fist of things in the championship. Gavin Doherty is a young player who could make an impression next term.
15. Glenfin (9)
Glenfin have some excellent young players but losing reliable footballers such as Stephen Carr and Karl McGlynn hurt them in the season just gone. A massive result in Kilcar saw them avoid automatic relegation and they backed that up against Buncrana in the play-off. The Championship got off to a good start with a hard-fought win over St Michael’s but things didn’t go to plan after that and they were beaten by Ardara, MacCumhaill’s, Aodh Ruadh and Glenswilly. The Pairc Taobhoige men have some nice forwards but they weren’t quite as difficult to play against as they traditionally were in 2023. Frank Ward is in as their new manager with Johnny McGinley coaching, and they will be hoping to get that edge back. Tommy McNulty is an athletic forward who played well for their minors this year.
16. St Michael’s (7)
It was a challenging year for St Michael’s as injuries really took their toll. Once again, they found themselves down towards the lower echelons of Division 1 and were without some key forwards later in the campaign, but still managed to stay up. Carlos O’Reilly’s return boosted them during the championship, but without county star Michael Langan and Daniel McLaughlin, they could only muster up one draw against Four Masters during the group phase. Langan was back in time for the relegation play-off with Milford and his contribution was huge as they won by a point and stayed up. The year ended on a high with their Under 21 team winning the ‘C’ Championship and if Langan can be injury-free in 2024, there is scope for a much improved campaign. Raymond McLaughlin and Cathal Sweeney are staying on as joint-managers.
17. Malin (16)
It was a good season for Malin as they adjusted to life in Division 1 without any trouble and finished in fifth position with five wins to their name. However, they were always going to be judged on their championship performances after a poor showing in the 2022 Intermediate. It was much improved for Michael Byrne’s team and good results against Bundoran and Fanad took them through to the final, but they didn’t have the defensive man-markers to stop Downings. They aren’t that far away from winning the Cathal McLaughlin Cup, but some of their players are pushing on in age. Ryan McGeoghegan is a classy forward who impressed for their Under 18 and Under 21 team this year and could add something different going forward.
18. Termon (19)
Termon had high hopes heading into this year’s campaign but it all fell flat. They started the league with intent but lost their way during the summer, and then they had some managerial upheaval and Trevor Alcorn was replaced. Caolan McDaid eventually took on the job before the start of the Intermediate Championship. A loss to Fanad was excused and they were still considered the favourites before being knocked out by Downings. Their Under 21s didn’t really hit their expected stride either, and their young team will need to start learning from their lessons. McDaid is staying on as manager, but he won’t have Cian McMenamin for the foreseeable future due to a knee complaint. John James Sweeney will be a good option, and winning the Cathal McLaughlin Cup will surely be at the top of the agenda this season.
19. Naomh Columba (18)
Naomh Columba were without a handful of talented players from the 2022 season, but with Aaron Doherty not involved with Donegal, they still got the results they needed to win promotion back to Division 1 for the first time in 17 years. While that was positive, their championship form was below-par, as they were fortunate to beat Fanad before losing against Bundoran and Downings in tight games in the group. They were then eliminated from the Intermediate by Termon in the quarter-finals. The Glencolmcille men are certainly finding it challenging to get back to senior championship football but the best minor forward in Donegal in 2023, Shane Callaghan will be able to play senior ball next term and he should make a difference.
20. Gaeil Fhánada (20)
Gaeil Fhánada are left to ponder what might have been at the end of the 2023 season. With Bernard McGettigan and Ryan McGonigle missing for almost the entire season, and Mark McAteer in America for the summer, they were down bodies during the league but still retained their Division 2 status. However, the fortunes for Gerard Shiels’s team improved considerably in the Championship despite an injury to Seamie ‘Nanny’ Friel, and wins over Termon and Buncrana sent them through to the semi-final, where they were in a winning position against Malin but couldn’t hold on. A key player or two is said to be on the move, while Shiels has stepped down, and it will be a challenge to get back to the last four in the Intermediate in 2024.
21. Buncrana (22)
Buncrana continue to be a team that flatter to deceive. This season they had a strong campaign in Division 1 and reached the play-off only to fall flat against Glenfin. They bounced back from that and topped the group phase of the Intermediate Championship but then were strung by Fanad in the quarter-final. Winning the tight games that matter the most appears to be an issue and Gaoth Dobhair man Eamon McGee has been brought in to bring a fresh impetus. Their Under 21 team had a great run in the ‘B’ Championship, and while Kevin Jordan is likely to stick with Finn Harps, Dylan Mulholland and Billy Duffy are players that could add something different next season.
22. Bundoran (24)
Bundoran were expected to struggle in Division 1 after a dismal 2022, but that didn’t happen. Despite Gary Clancy transferring to Melvin Gaels, and Paul Brennan’s long-term injury, they managed to get wins over Downings, St Michael’s, Killybegs, and Glenfin and drew with Aodh Ruadh. They experimented with Jamie Brennan in the half-back line but he was back in the forwards for the Intermediate Championship, and they never quite found their mojo despite a win over Naomh Columba. Downings, Termon, and Malin all got the better of them. Ryan Barrett and Anton Govorov have added some extra depth to the team, but they will need to improve if they are to secure a passage back to senior championship football.
23. Milford (17)
It was a forgettable season for Milford as their six-year stay in the Senior Championship came to an end. James McGinley would have had high hopes as he took on the manager’s role, but his hand was weakened as a number of players headed off to the States before the season started. They finished mid-table in the league but were hoping to lift things for the Championship. However, Tony McNamee’s decision to go to Finn Harps coupled with Dylan Dorrian’s injury didn’t help their cause, and they could have no qualms about their relegation after losing six matches on the spin. Some of those that headed to the US are expected to be back available in 2024, but others are departing, and McGinley’s charges will have to raise their game if they are to make an immediate return to senior ball.
24. Red Hugh’s (27)
Red Hugh’s started last season in super form with Eugene Browne as manager and former Tyrone star Jon Lynch coaching the team. They won four of their first five matches, but then lost seven on the trot and a win on the final matchday against Fanad ensured they were safe in Division 2. Red Hugh’s raised their game for the Intermediate Championship and won two and drew one of their four group games and that sent them through to the quarter-final where they couldn’t just match Downings. Ex-Aussie Rules player Benny McDevitt has come on board as their new manager and it will be interesting to see if he can try and take them a step forward to the semi-finals of the Intermediate at least.
25. Naomh Muire (27)
After a good first season at the helm, Danny O’Donnell and Naomh Muire will be not be happy with how 2023 played out. It was a big year for the Lower Rosses club as they hosted the national Gaeltacht finals, and they failed to make it through to the junior decider. The league got off to a slow start but they finished strongly and picked up some impressive wins towards the end of that campaign. It was then a surprise when they didn’t make it to the Intermediate quarter-finals. Paul ‘Yank’ Boyle and Darragh White are now home, and O’Donnell is staying on for a third year, but Naomh Muire will feel there is scope for improvement.
26. Na Rossa (31)
2023 was a year that Na Rossa will look back on with great fondness. It has been a challenge to keep the club afloat in previous years, but that wasn’t an issue this season. Declan Bonner came in as manager, and their numbers were good. They secured promotion up to Division 2, and while they were beaten in the Division 3 league final, that didn’t deter them heading into the Championship. There were tough games on the way, but they eventually came through against Moville in the final and were thrilled to bring a championship title back to the parish. There was frustration in that they didn’t get past the first hurdle in Ulster, but still things are in a decent place and they will be aiming to give a good account of themselves in the Intermediate Championship in 2024.
27. Letterkenny Gaels (21)
Letterkenny Gaels were unable to build on their Junior Championship success last year and the 2023 season was difficult. Their team was barely recognisable from the previous campaign with injuries and emigration taking their toll. Life in Division 2 didn’t go well as they lost all of their games, and expectations were low heading into the Intermediate, where they were tipped to suffer relegation again. However, they gradually got more of their best players back, and while they still weren’t the force of 2022, they drew with Red Hugh’s and then defeated Burt and Naomh Brid. Ronan Frain’s call-up to the county panel has given the club a great lift, even if he may not always be available next year. Paul Melaugh is staying on in the bainisteoir bib.
28. Moville (33)
Moville started the season very well under new manager Pat McLaughlin and his coach John Quigg, but they then hit a blip, and ultimately missed out on promotion. Hopes weren’t overly high heading into the Junior Championship with Tony McClenaghan absent, and their form was mixed during the group. However, the team then pulled off a great win over Naomh Conaill in Glenties, and backed it up in the semi-final against Muff. The final was a game they could have won but lost down the home stretch, and their subsequent appeal didn’t go anywhere. McLaughlin has vacated his post, and that is a blow as he had helped to energise the club. It’s important that they get a good replacement, who can get all their best players to commit once more.
29. Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin (35)
Naomh Padraig’s wait for the Junior title goes on but 2023 still feels like a breakthrough year. For many seasons now, they have been there or thereabouts in the bottom division without ever winning promotion but they finally made it this season, and with a young side, they should be fit for the step up to Division 2. The higher standard will help them when it comes to the battle for the Junior title, and while they were disappointed to lose on penalties in the semi-final this time around, it’s worth remembering that county star Caolan McColgan wasn’t available. They will arguably be the team to beat if and when McColgan returns to the fold. Well-known coach Dougie Corbett has joined Daniel McCauley’s team and will aim to give them a fresh outlook.
30. Burt (25)
There won’t have been too many teams in Donegal as frustrated as Burt with how things played out this year. They were competitive in Division 2 but lost a lot of tight games and ended up getting relegated which was a real blow. Injuries to county hurlers Liam McKinney and Ronan McDermott impacted on the football team during the Intermediate championship. They lost all four group games, and then were beaten by Naomh Muire after a replay, before eventually defeating Naomh Bríd in a relegation final. The Hibernian Park men will have to find more scoring power if they are to become a greater threat in the Intermediate Championship.
31. St Mary’s, Convoy (30)
After suffering relegation on two counts in 2022, things did run more smoothly for Convoy this year without getting the success they wanted. The were some good performances in the league but a few too many below-par displays saw them fall short in a bid to make promotion. However, with Joe McGill back from London, they were a much more potent side in the Championship and were considered the team to beat heading into the semi-finals, but came out second best against Na Rossa. McGill and Paddy Dolan have now moved to North London Shamrocks and that will impact them in the league next year, but they will be a force if they can persuade them to come home for the Junior Championship.
32. Naomh Ultan (34)
Naomh Ultan were competitive in Division 3 without ever looking like they would push themselves into the promotion picture. Like 2022, they were able to lift things for the Junior ‘A’ Championship and they won three of their four games but were well beaten by Convoy. The Dunkineely side went to Carndonagh and won, and then had a fine win over Moville. However, they were caught out in the quarter-finals when they couldn’t make the most of their home advantage and lost out against Muff in a tight tussle. There were a couple of Naomh Ultan players in the Killybegs team that won the Division 2 Minor League title this year, and they could help in 2024, where the men in black and amber will still be challenging opponents for whoever they meet.
33. Naomh Bríd (28)
Naomh Bríd will be glad to see the back of 2023 as it brought relegation in both the league and the championship. The Trummon men struggled to compete on their return to Division 2. They did manage to edge out Letterkenny Gaels at Pairc na nGael but were well beaten in some of their other outings and they will be back in Division 3 next term. Things got no better for John Murphy’s team in the Intermediate Championship and they lost all their games. Donal Gallagher and Ryan Brogan were part of the Donegal minor panel in 2023 and they will help the team and it could be a period of transition until their talented youngsters establish themselves. They are on the look-out for a new bainisteoir.
34. Carndonagh (29)
After reaching the Junior Final in 2022, Carndonagh definitely took a few steps backwards this term. They managed to beat Convoy in the league and pushed Na Rossa close but weren’t in the promotion picture. The absence of Ryan Kelly and county star Conor O’Donnell really hindered them and they failed to make it out of their group which was a big surprise. County hurler Padraig Doherty has decided to step aside but with O’Donnell back fit, they will be a different animal once again in 2024, and will be aiming to make an imprint in the Junior Championship.
35. Urris (32)
Urris only played 12 competitive games over the course of the 2023 season, and it’s always going to be difficult to make any real traction when you are playing so few matches. That said, even with so few games, the Sraid men still struggled to get a consistent team out. They only won two of their nine league games but there was still some hope they would up the ante come the Junior Championship. Things didn’t start off well and they lost to Muff and Na Rossa before beating St Eunan’s in a tight game. Results elsewhere meant they couldn’t make the knock-out stages ahead of their last match, and they decided not to travel to Naomh Conaill which meant a play-off was then required, and it wasn’t a good look for the club. Conor Bradley and Mickey Grant have moved aside as joint-managers, and Urris will be hoping for more games and consistency going forward.
36. Naomh Padraig, Lifford (37)
It certainly wasn’t a perfect season for Lifford but there were signs of progress. They defeated Newtown and Robert Emmet’s in the league and drew with Urris and St Eunan’s. They were also competitive against Carndonagh and Na Rossa, which is a better return than they have been accustomed to in other years. The Junior ‘A’ Championship started with a fine win over St Eunan’s, but things didn’t go well after that and they had one particularly chastening day against Na Rossa when they conceded nine goals. Hopefully that defeat won’t have done any great lasting damage and their young players will look to push on again next term.
37. Naomh Colmcille (36)
It was another trying year for Naomh Colmcille but the club are attempting to arrest the slide, and they are hoping it’s a case of short term pain for some long-term gain. Sean McConnell, who did a good job of steadying Lifford, was brought in and it took some time to put a shape on the team although things were going better towards the middle of the year. They struggled to compete in Division 3 and only won one game against Robert Emmet’s and things didn’t go much better in the Junior Championship. McConnell is staying on for another year and is trying to get a reserve side up-and-running, but at present, the Newtown club are among the teams at the lower echelons who could probably do with a restructuring of the league to allow for more competitive games at their level.
38. Pettigo (38)
Pettigo played in the lowest rung of adult football this year in Division 4, and while the reality is that they were mainly up against reserve and third sides, the border team were able to build up some momentum and get a buzz going around the club. They went unbeaten through the league but lost in the Division 4 final against Aodh Ruadh. However, Pettigo did get silverware in the Senior ‘C’ Championship by beating Sean MacCumhaill’s in the decider. It’s not easy to keep the show on the road and they are dependent on a number of players in their forties, but Ronan Maher (who is still Under 17 in 2024) featured for the county minors this year and that is exciting for Pettigo.
39. Robert Emmet’s (39)
It was a challenging Division 3 league campaign for Robert Emmet’s and they failed to pick up any points, and some of the teams they were going up against were just too good for them. They decided to enter the Junior ‘B’ Championship and things did improve and they started to pick up results and grow in confidence. The Castlefin club reached the Junior ‘B’ decider but lost out against Convoy after a replay. That was a frustrating end to the year, but while there are no quick-fixes, things were definitely working better towards the end of the campaign, and they will aim to push on with Liam Sweeney staying on board for a second season.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere