Adrian McClafferty enjoyed a long and fruitful career with his club St Eunan’s.
He represented the Letterkenny club at senior level from 1996 to 2012, and won six Donegal Senior Championship medals during that time.
He also won an Ulster Minor Championship title with the Donegal minors in 1996, and played for the county Under 21s in 1998 and 1999.
There was success in the States too as he won a New York Championship with Donegal New York in 2000 and a Boston Championship with Donegal Boston three years later.
McClafferty came up against some top quality players during his career, and has this week picked the best fifteen he has faced.
David ‘Buddy’ Greene (Aodh Ruadh)
I played with ‘Buddy’ in the minor team, and played against him many times with Ballyshannon. Great shot-stopper with a brilliant kick out.
Barry McGowan (Killybegs)
Brilliant player. He was probably just finishing around ’98/’99 when we were coming through. I remember we played them in the quarter-final in ’98 and he was still probably the best player on the pitch.
John Joe Doherty (Naomh Columba)
Glen were a top team back when we were starting out and John Joe was one of the main reasons. Not only dominated the full back line, but often got forward to get on the score sheet.
John Joe Doherty.
Peter McGinley (Killybegs)
Peter was one of the best defenders around in the mid-nineties and always played very well against us.
Damien Diver (Ardara)
Damien destroyed us on his own on a number of occasions. County final in 2000 springs to mind. Great servant to Donegal as well.
Kevin Cassidy (Gaoth Dobhair)
Not only a great player who could play anywhere, but a real driving force behind Gaoth Dobhair for many years.
Aaron Kernan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
We played Cross twice in Ulster and he had a huge impact in both games from wing-back.
Aaron Kernan takes on Eamon Doherty
Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly)
Can’t say much more about Neil that hasn’t already been said. One of the best midfielders to ever come out of the county.
Barry Monaghan (Four Masters)
We had many battles with Barry and Four Masters the whole way through underage and into senior. Also played with him in a few county underage teams. You always knew he would go on to have a great career for club and county.
Martin McHugh (Kilcar)
Came up against him in 1997 Championship semi-final. Even though he was at the end of his career he was still brilliant. I remember he scored an unbelievable goal from a 21 yard free with 15 of us on the line!
Martin McHugh
Brendan Devenney (Naomh Colmcille)
Played with him for many years but also had the task of marking him on one occasion while he was playing with Newton. I’d say his jersey was two sizes bigger after that game! don’t think he scored though!
John McEntee (Crossmaglen Rangers)
Had a real battle with this man in the 2007 Ulster Club game. He was a very good player who could score from anywhere. He kicked a couple of long range points that day that were just unbelievable.
John McEntee holds off Rory Kavanagh
Mike Frank Russell (Kerry New York)
Played against this man in the New York final in 2000. He was at his peak then and was a real top player.
Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
Somehow ended up marking Michael on a number of occasions early in his career. I never finished a game marking him which probably tells its own story. Even then, at a young age, he was probably the best player in the county.
Michael Murphy
Adrian Sweeney (Dungloe)
Another Donegal legend. Was unbelievably strong and once he got the ball he was impossible to stop.
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
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)