1) Stephen McGrath (Naomh Conaill)
The Naomh Conaill goalkeeper only conceded three goals in seven matches. It was in the trilogy with Gaoth Dobhair when he really came to the fore. The Magheragallon men brought a huge press to his restarts, but his kick-outs were good, while the netminder also kept three clean sheets against a team that are notorious for scoring goals. McGrath has become a very consistent player for Glenties.
2) Gary McFadden (Gaoth Dobhair)
McFadden enhanced his reputation again during the Donegal Club Championship, and he carried on from where he left off in 2018. He was handed tricky assignments on Niall O’Donnell, Jamie Brennan, and Eoin McHugh. The sticky corner-back then lined up against Eoghan McGettigan in all three county finals and kept him scoreless in each encounter.
3) Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
The number three slot was highly-competitive as AJ Gallagher was outstanding, while Conor Morrison had a good campaign with St Eunan’s. However, the best full-back in the championship was Neil McGee. He made a wonderful clearance in the opening game down in Magheragallon and carried that form right through the championship. The experienced defender got the better of Patrick McBrearty during the semi-final, and was one of his side’s most consistent players during the county final saga.
4) Kevin McGettigan (Naomh Conaill)
McGettigan is the unsung hero of the Naomh Conaill team and is often given difficult man-marking jobs in big games. Eoin McGeehin did score an opportunist goal off him in the semi-final but that was the only blot on his copy book, and the Glenties number four was one of the top performers in the three county finals.
5) Ethan O’Donnell (Naomh Conaill)
Ethan O’Donnell really came of age in the 2019 Club Championship. For so long considered to be a promising youngster, O’Donnell took his game to another level over the last two months, and was a vital player for his team in the half-back line. He was brilliant under the breaking ball, broke through tackles for his team, and was also good at providing scores. The 22-year-old is likely to get an opportunity to impress in a county shirt next season.
Ethan O’Donnell
6) Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
Thompson made his name as a blood and thunder wing-back who would drive relentlessly up the field for club and county, but he is a different type of player now. This season he was usually granted a floating role and was able to sweep up loose ball and cut out danger. However, he also still picked his moments to move up the field, and was never shy about having a go at the posts.
7) Dáire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair)
The young wing-back has become a key component of the Gaoth Dobhair team and he has licence to bomb on and express himself in attack. He was man-of-the-match in the semi-final against Kilcar, and the Magheragallon men were at their most threatening against Naomh Conaill, when Ó Baoill was making those trademark darts down the left wing.
Daire Ó Baoill
8) Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
Thompson starred in his midfield role and became a key leader for the Naomh Conaill men this season. He was brilliant in the aerial exchanges, and regularly supplied points from play, while his placed-ball kicking was usually on the money too. Thompson will be in the shake-up for Player of the Championship.
9) Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair)
There is no denying that Michael Carroll has the ability and athleticism to become one of the top players in the county, but he hasn’t always fulfilled his potential. However, he became an important leader for Gaoth Dobhair in the latter stages of the championship, and carried their fight when others were starting to tire.
10) Andrew McClean (Kilcar)
Equally as comfortable in the half-forward line as in the half-back line, McClean is the quintessential Kilcar player who is super comfortable on the ball, and a fantastic engine to boot. He was his side’s MVP against Killybegs, and their best performer against Gaoth Dobhair.
Andrew McClean
11) Odhrán Mac Niallais (Gaoth Dobhair)
Few players received as much close attention in the championship as Mac Niallais got, but he still delivered for his team time after time. Against St Eunan’s in the first game, he scored a crucial goal, and netted two penalties against Bundoran, and also excelled when he squared off with Kilcar. The county finals ended in disappointment but he still provided moments of real class.
Odhrán Mac Niallais
12) Eunan Doherty (Naomh Conaill)
Doherty gets through a mountain of work every time he puts on the blue and white jersey. The hard work and intensity he brings to the game really stood out in the latter stages of the championship. He scored twice against St Eunan’s and backed that up against Gaoth Dobhair
13) Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí (Naomh Conaill)
Granted, Mac Ceallbhuí didn’t play as an orthodox inside man, but very few teams played with three attackers inside. The Naomh Conaill number 13 established himself as a regular in the Glenties team this year and really caught the eye with his versatile displays. In the county finals, the Donegal Under 20 player roamed out the field and kept an eye on Dáire Ó Baoil while he was also able to influence affairs when his side had the ball. Mac Ceallbhuí has a bright future ahead of him.
14) Niall O’Donnell (St Eunan’s)
There was much talk about the strength of St Eunan’s forward line in recent weeks, but they did have the best attacker of the championship in Niall O’Donnell. The 21-year-old was excellent against Gaoth Dobhair, St Michael’s, and Milford, while he was also the best player on the field as they exited the championship at the hands of Naomh Conaill.
Niall O’Donnell
15) Gary Clancy (Bundoran)
Bundoran will feel that they could have made it through to the semi-finals and their corner-forward Gary Clancy had a super championship. He scored three points against Termon, ten against Kilcar, and then six when his side met Malin in the group stages. He concluded his campaign by notching 1-9 against Gaoth Dobhair.
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The stars of the Donegal SFC