There was dejection for the Donegal senior footballers as they were defeated by Kerry in the All-Ireland Final.
There was huge excitement for two weeks in the county after Jim McGuinness’s men made light work of Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final on a scoreline of 3-26 to 0-15.
Donegal had high hopes going into the match but a blistering first quarter helped the Kingdom move nine points ahead and they were seven clear at the break.
Donegal did battle back in the second half and reduced their deficit to four but Kerry steadied up and went on to win by 1-26 to 0-19.
Despite the defeat, a huge crowd turned out to Donegal Town the following evening to welcome the team home in the rain.
The Donegal Senior Ladies were summonsed to the Relegation final after losing to Armagh but James Daly’s team managed to stay up after defeating Leitrim by 2-15 to 1-12.
The county Under 16 LGFA side claimed the All-Ireland ‘C’ title when they hammered Leitrim by 6-22 to 4-5.
The Donegal Under 16 boys team were defeated by Tyrone in the Buncrana Cup semi-final.
Eddie Crawford’s Donegal Masters got the better of Monaghan by 5-15 to 3-8.
Termon’s senior men’s team were impressive winners of the Division 1 League title when they got the better of Four Masters by 3-12 to 0-13.
Dungloe won the Division 2 league title when they beat Aodh Ruadh by a point after extra-time.
Naomh Muire were promoted to the top flight after getting the better of Downings in a play-off at the Bridge.
Gaeil Fhánada retained their Division 2 status when they beat Naomh Brid in a play-off.
Burt finished strongly to see off Red Hughs in the Division 3 League decider by two points.
Glenfin ladies got their hands on the Division 1 League title when they beat Termon by 2-7 to 2-6.
Naomh Muire claimed the Division 2 Ladies title when they proved too strong for Naomh Columba in Ardara.
In soccer, Finn Harps’s struggles continued in the League of Ireland First Division. They drew with Longford Town and Cobh Ramblers and were beaten by UCD.
Harps finished the month in eighth position in the league, some ten points away from fifth and the play-off spots.
The club did advance to the third round of the FAI Senior Cup when they defeated UCD 3-0 at home.
Patrick Ferry left Harps and signed for Treaty United.
Bonagee United were celebrating when they were crowned Dick Duffy Memorial League champions.
It was confirmed that Lettermacaward man Carl McHugh had left FC Goa in India.
St Johnston’s Tyler Toland signed for Women’s Super League 2 side Durham.
In athletics, Erin Friel of Letterkenny AC became Donegal’s first medallist at the European Youth Olympic Festival in ten years.
Friel came third in the U18 400 metres final in Macedonia.
The Newtowncunningham native was also part of the Ireland medal relay team that finished fourth in their final and set a new national record.
Erin Friel.
The Irish squad was led by Finn Valley’s Dermot McGranaghan in Macedonia.
Friel also won the 400 metres title at the National Juvenile Championships.
Catriona Devine of Finn Valley was part of the Ireland over 50 team that set a new World Masters record in the 4×800 metres alongside Ann Marie Connellan, Geraldine Vahey, and Mary Leech.
Riona Doherty of Finn Valley was in great form in July and won the U20 and U19 Long Jump titles at the National Juvenile Championships.
Oisin Thompson of Finn Valley secured gold in the U20 Long Jump and Cara Laverty took a silver in the U23 1500 metres.
Her clubmates Stephen Slevin and Ace Rodriguez in the U18 High Jump and U19 Long Jump helped themselves to bronze medals respectively.
Olympian AC also picked up a haul of medals with Eoghan O’Donnell securing third in the U20 men’s 35lb weight throw, while Aoife McGeehin won silver in the U17 Girls Javelin, and Brianna Doherty sprinted to a bronze in the U15 Girls 200 metres.
Tir Conaill AC’s Ethan Dewhirst was triumphant in the U20 400 metres hurdles.
Sisters Adrienne and Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) also enjoyed success at the championships.
Adrienne won the Under 23 hammer throw while Caoimhe came out on top in the U20 Shot Put.
Oisin Gillespie of Rosses AC was unfortunate to miss out on gold in the U17 Boys High Jump on count-back but did land a silver medal.
Cranford AC’s Caolan McFadden earned a bronze in the U23 800 metres.
The Donegal team secured second place at the National League Inter-county finals.
Mark McGinley was the winner of the Sheephaven 70.3 and Sprint.
John-Joe Doherty of Finn Valley AC prevailed in the Danny McDaid 15k race and Natasha Adams (Letterkenny AC) won the female race.
Stephen McAuley of Letterkenny AC was third in the National ten mile championship race.
David McKelvey (Rosses AC) was the first home in the Mary from Dungloe 5k.
It was confirmed that 28 years after the first race, the North West 10k has raised over one million euro.
Young darts player Jack Porter was crowned champion at the International Darts School League Ulster Qualifiers.
In golf, Martin McBride won the Terry Casey Memorial Cup at Rosapenna.
There was disappointment for rally driver David Kelly who looked set to win the Sligo Stages Rally before crashing out on the final stage.
Rhys Irwin was leading the British Superbikes Supersport Championships at the end of July following a good showing at Knockhill.
