2018 Donegal county football team season

Donegal county football team

2018 season
Manager	Declan Bonner
Stadium	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
NFL D1	7th (relegated)
All-Ireland SFC	Quarter-finalist
Ulster SFC	Winners
Dr McKenna Cup	Winners

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2018 season.

Personnel changes

Declan Bonner began his second spell in charge of the team. John McElholm was appointed team trainer and Gary Boyle coach. Paul Fisher led the strength and conditioning team, Ronan Doherty joined as nutritionist and Cathal Ellis was there as physiotherapist, psychologist Anthony McGrath and video analyst Chris Byrne.[1] Karl Lacey also became part of the coaching team ahead of the 2018 season.[2]

Nathan Mullins, son of former Dublin player Brian, played for Donegal during the 2018 season.[3][4] He made his debut against Queen's in the 2018 Dr McKenna Cup.[5]

Kevin McBrearty, who had first been called up ahead of the 2015 Dr McKenna Cup,[6] played in the 2018 National Football League.[7]

Goalkeeper Shaun Patton came into the team versus Kildare in the National Football League. He began training in January 2018.[8] Peter Boyle quit in a dispute over Patton replacing him in the team.[9] Mark Anthony McGinley, the other goalkeeper, also quit the county panel — and the sport entirely.[10]

Eoin McHugh was not involved for the 2018 season, electing to go to Boston instead.[11] Michael Carroll also left the panel.[12]

Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell both missed the 2018 championship after deciding to play for the under-20 team instead.[13]

Karl Lacey retired at the end of the previous season.[14]

Leo McLoone returned after voluntarily departing the previous year.[15] Likewise Odhrán Mac Niallais.[16] And Anthony Thompson.[17]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

Main article: 2018 Dr McKenna Cup

Donegal won the McKenna Cup in 2018.

National Football League Division 1

Main article: 2018 National Football League (Ireland)

Fixtures for the 2018 National League were announced on 13 October 2017.[18]

Table

Possible problem: 875 total for != 873 total against

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Galway	7	6	1	0	106	83	+23	13	Advance to Division 1 Final
2	Dublin	7	5	1	1	131	99	+32	11
3	Monaghan	7	5	0	2	106	100	+6	10
4	Tyrone	7	4	0	3	114	98	+16	8
5	Kerry	7	3	0	4	114	127	−13	6
6	Mayo	7	2	1	4	94	110	−16	5
7	Donegal	7	1	1	5	109	126	−17	3	Relegation to Division 2
8	Kildare	7	0	0	7	101	130	−29	0

Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2018. Source: GAA.ie
Rules for classification: 1) League points 2) Where only two teams are level, the winner of the game between the two teams is ranked first 3) Scoring Difference 4) Highest Total Score For 5) A Play-Off.

Fixtures

Kerry v Donegal

Sunday, 28 January	Kerry	2-18 (24) – 3-14 (23)	Donegal	Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
2:00pm	Seán O'Shea 0-7 (0-4f), Paul Geaney 1-2 (0-1 pen), Stephen O'Brien 1-1, Barry John Keane 0-2, Gavin Crowley, Ronan Shanahan, Micheál Burns, David Clifford (0-1f), Daithi Casey, Killian Spillane 0-1 each	Report	Paddy McBrearty 0-10 (0-8f), Odhran MacNiallais 1-2, Tony McCleneghan and Darach O'Connor 1-0 each, Jamie Brennan and Stephen McBrearty 0-1 each	Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon) Man of the Match: Paddy McBrearty (Kilcar)

Donegal v Galway

Sunday, 4 February	Donegal	0-14 (14) – 1-12 (15)	Galway	O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny
2:30pm	Paddy McBrearty 0-9 (0-6f), Stephen McBrearty 0-2, Ryan McHugh, Paul Brennan, Ciaran McGinley 0-1 each	Report	Shane Walsh 0-6 (0-4f), Eamonn Brannigan 1-0, Damien Comer 0-3, Johnny Heaney, Paul Conroy, Sean Armstrong 0-1 each	Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)

Dublin v Donegal

Saturday, February 10	Dublin	0-20 (20) – 0-15 (15)	Donegal	Croke Park, Dublin
7:00pm	Niall Scully and Colm Basquel (0-1f) 0-4 each, Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny, Paul Mannion (0-1f) 0-2 each, Eric Lowndes, Brian Howard, Paddy Andrews, Eoghan O'Gara, Ciaran Reddin, Paddy Small 0-1 each	Report	Paddy McBrearty 0-7 (0-3f), Ryan McHugh, Stephen McBrearty, Jamie Brennan 0-2 each, Mark McHugh and Ciarán Thompson 0-1 each	Attendance: 21,400 Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan) Man of the Match: Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's)

Donegal v Kildare

Sunday, February 25	Donegal	1-15 (18) – 3-07 (16)	Kildare	Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon
2:00pm		Report

Tyrone v Donegal

Saturday, March 10	Tyrone	2-13 (19) – 1-10 (13)	Donegal	Healy Park, Omagh
7:00 pm	Lee Brennan 0-5 (0-4f), Niall Sludden and Mark Bradley 1-1 each, Conor McAliskey 0-3f, Niall Morgan (0-1f), Cathal McShane, Peter Harte 0-1 each	Report	Odhran Mac Niallais 1-2, Michael Murphy 0-3f, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Eamonn Doherty, Hugh McFadden, Mark McHugh, Stephen McBrearty 0-1 each	Attendance: 5,850 Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)

Monaghan v Donegal

Sunday, March 18	Monaghan	1-16 (19) – 1-10 (13)	Donegal	St Tiernach's Park, Clones
2:00pm		Report

Donegal v Mayo

Sunday, March 25	Donegal	0-13 (13) – 0-13 (13)	Mayo	MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
3:00pm	Paddy McBrearty 0-4 (0-2f), Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Jamie Brennan, Michael Murphy (0-1f) 0-2 each, Frank McGlynn, Ciarán Thompson, Odhran MacNiallais 0-1 each	Report	Conor Loftus 0-6 (0-5f), Andy Moran 0-3, Kevin McLoughlin 0-2, Eoin O'Donghue and Joason Doherty 0-1 each	Attendance: 11,250 Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow) Man of the Match: Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)

Ulster Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship

The draw for the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship took place on 19 October 2017.[19] Donegal won their first Ulster title for four years.

Bracket

	Preliminary round					Quarter-finals					Semi-finals					Final
						Fermanagh		0-12
						Armagh		0-7
											Fermanagh		1-8
											Monaghan		0-10
						Tyrone		1-16
						Monaghan		1-18
																Fermanagh		0-12
																Donegal		2-18
						Down		1-18
						Antrim		0-14
											Down		1-12
											Donegal		2-22
						Derry		0-16
	Donegal		2-20			Donegal		2-16
	Cavan		1-15

Fixtures

Donegal v Cavan

BBC deferred

13 May 2018 (2018-05-13) 4:00 pm Preliminary Round

Report

Donegal	2-20 (26) – (18) 1-15	Cavan
(HT: 1-10 – 1-06)
Gls: R. McHugh 1, C. Mulligan 1 Pts: M. Murphy 6 (3f), P. McBrearty 4, C. Thompson 3, M. Langan 3, J. Brennan 2, C. Ward 1, L. McLoone 1		Gls: C. O'Reilly 1 Pts: G. McKiernan 7 (2f), C. O'Reilly 3 (3f), C. Mackey 2 (1f), N. Murray 1, B. Magee 1, A. Cole 1

Páirc MacCumhaill, Ballybofey Referee: David Gough (Meath) Attendance: 9,612

Derry v Donegal

BBC deferred

27 May 2018 (2018-05-27) 4:00 pm Quarter-Final D

Report

Derry	0-16 (16) – (22) 2-16	Donegal
(HT: 0-07 – 1-10)
Pts: E Bradley 8 (5f), M Lynch 5 (4f), J Kielt 2, N Toner 1		Gls: H McFadden 1, C Mulligan 1 Pts: P McBrearty 8 (3f), L McLoone 3, M Murphy 2 (1 ’45), R McHugh 2, J Brennan (0-01)

Celtic Park, Derry Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois) Attendance: 9,356

Down v Donegal

BBC deferred

10 June 2018 (2018-06-10) 4:00 pm Semi-Final 2

Report

Down	1-12 (15) – (28) 2-22	Donegal
(HT: 0-07 – 1-12)
Gls: N Donnelly 1 Pts: D O’Hare 4 (3f), C Harrison 4, C Maginn 2, C Mooney 1, N Donnelly 1		Gls: L McLoone 1, J Brennan 1 Pts: P McBrearty 6 (3f), M Murphy 5 (3f), J Brennan 3, P Brennan 2, R McHugh 2, C Ward 1, C Thompson 1, S McMenamin 1, M McHugh 1

St Tiernach's Park, Clones Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow) Attendance: 12,051

Fermanagh v Donegal

RTÉ BBC

24 June 2018 2:00pm Ulster Final

Report

Fermanagh	0-12 (12) – (24) 2-18	Donegal
(HT: 0-05 – 2-07)
Pts: Sean Quigley 5 (5f), Seamus Quigley 3 (1f), B Mulrone 1, E Donnelly 1, C Jones 1, C Corrigan 1		Gls: EB Gallagher 1, R McHugh 1 Pts: M Murphy 4 (3f), C Thompson 3 (1f), P Brennan 2, P McGrath 1, EB Gallagher 1, O MacNiallais 1, M Langan 1, P McBrearty 1, J Brennan 1, M McHugh 1, D O’Connor 1

St. Tiernach's Park, Clones Referee: David Gough (Meath) Attendance: 28,150

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Main article: 2018 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

Quarter-finals Group 2 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Dublin	3	3	0	0	74	52	+22	6	Advance to semi-finals
2	Tyrone	3	2	0	1	73	51	+22	4
3	Donegal	3	1	0	2	52	57	−5	2
4	Roscommon	3	0	0	3	53	92	−39	0

Updated to match(es) played on 5 August 2018. Source: GAA.ie

Fixtures

Dublin v Donegal

14 July 2018 (2018-07-14) Phase 1	Dublin	2-15 (21) – (16) 0-16	Donegal	Dublin
19:00 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 1-09 – 0-08)		Venue: Croke Park
	Gls: N Scully 2 Pts: D Rock 7 (5f, 1 '45'), B Howard 2, C Costello 2, P Flynn 2, C Kilkenny 1, J McCarthy 1	Report	Pts: M Murphy 6 (3f, 1 '45'), J Brennan 3, M Langan 2, R McHugh 2, C Thompson 1, F McGlynn 1, É Doherty 1	Referee: Conor Lane (Cork) Attendance: 53,501 (double header) TV: RTÉ

Roscommon v Donegal

21 July 2018 (2018-07-21) Phase 2	Roscommon	0-13 (13) – (20) 0-20	Donegal	Roscommon
17:00 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 0-05 – 0-10)		Venue: Dr Hyde Park
	Pts: C Murtagh 5 (3f), D Murtagh 2, B Stack 2, C Lennon 2, C Compton 1, E Smith 1	Report	Pts: M Murphy 9 (3f, 1'45), OM Niallais 4, C Thompson 2 (1f), M Langan 1, L McLoone 1, J Brennan 1, R McHugh 1, M Reilly 1	Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down) Attendance: 9,583 TV: Sky Sports

Donegal v Tyrone

5 August 2018 (2018-08-05) Phase 3	Donegal	1-13 (16) – (23) 2-17	Tyrone	Ballybofey
15:30 IST (UTC+1)		(HT: 1-06 – 0-06)		Venue: MacCumhaill Park
	Gls: M Murphy 1 Pts: J Brennan 3, M Murphy 2 (1f, 1 45’), OM Niallais 2, P McGrath 1, EB Gallagher 1, M Langan 1, R McHugh 1, C Thompson 1, N O’Donnell 1	Report	Gls: H Loughran 1, D McClure 1 Pts: L Brennan 4 (1f), C McAliskey 2 (2f), P Hampsey 2, M Donnelly 2, N Morgan 1 (1f), R McNamee 1, T McCann 1, P Harte 1 (1f), C Cavanagh 1, M Bradley 1, K McGeary 1	Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan) Attendance: 16,242 TV: RTÉ

Management team

Confirmed in November 2017:[20]

• Manager: Declan Bonner
• Assistant manager: Paul McGonigle,[21] not listed among November 2017 appointments
• Head coach: John McElholm[20]
• Coach: Gary Boyle[21]
• Selector: Karl Lacey until end of 2018 season[22] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020[23]
• Goalkeeping coach: Andrew McGovern[20]
• Strength and conditioning coach: Paul Fisher[24]
• Nutritionist: Ronan Doherty[20]
• Team physician: Kevin Moran[25]
• Physio: Cathal Ellis[25]
• Psychology and performance manager: Anthony McGrath,[20] previously involved with the minor team[26]
• Video analysis: Chris Byrne[20]
• Logistics: Packie McDyre[20]
• Kitman: Barry McBride[20]

Awards

Player of the Year

Eoghan Bán Gallagher[27]

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

• 29 January: Patrick McBrearty[28]
• 12 February: Patrick McBrearty[29]
• 26 February: Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty[30]
• 14 May: ?
• 28 May: ?
• 11 June: Paul Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Jamie Brennan[31]
• 25 June: Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Ryan McHugh, Michael Murphy;[32] McHugh nominated for Footballer of the Week[33]
• 23 July: ?
• 6 August: ?

Donegal News Sports Personality of the Month

Eoghan Bán Gallagher: June[34]

The Irish News Ulster All Stars

Eoghan Bán Gallagher (first appearance), Michael Murphy (sixth appearance) and Ryan McHugh (fourth appearance) were all included.[35]

The Sunday Game Team of the Year

The Sunday Game selected Eoghan Bán Gallagher at left corner-back on its Team of the Year.[36]

All Stars

Ryan McHugh won an All Star.^[citation needed] Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Michael Murphy were also nominated.[37]

Pos.	Player	Team	Appearances
GK	Rory Beggan	Monaghan	1
RCB	Jonny Cooper	Dublin	2
FB	Colm Cavanagh	Tyrone	2
LCB	Pádraig Hampsey	Tyrone	1
RWB	Karl O'Connell	Monaghan	1
CB	James McCarthy	Dublin	3
LWB	Jack McCaffrey	Dublin	3
MD	Brian Fenton^FOTY	Dublin	3
MD	Brian Howard	Dublin	1
RWF	Paul Mannion	Dublin	2
CF	Ciarán Kilkenny	Dublin	3
LWF	Ryan McHugh	Donegal	2
RCF	David Clifford	Kerry	1
FF	Conor McManus	Monaghan	3
LCF	Ian Burke	Galway	1

County breakdown

• Dublin = 7
• Monaghan = 3
• Tyrone = 2
• Kerry = 1
• Donegal = 1
• Galway = 1

References

1. McNulty, Chris (10 October 2017). "Declan Bonner's backroom team ratified by county committee". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
2. O'Toole, Fintan (10 October 2017). "Multi All-Star winner confirmed as part of Donegal's coaching team for next season". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
3. "Nathan Mullins not content to give up on Donegal dream". The Irish News. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020. Nathan Mullins joined the Donegal squad amid much fanfare ahead of the 2018 season and the son of Dublin legend Brian was instantly handed National League starts against Dublin and Kerry. The holder of an Ulster medal from that summer, the St Vincent's clubman tells Cahair O'Kane about how that year unfolded and why he hasn't given up hope yet of playing for Donegal again…
4. "Mullins set to join Donegal panel". Donegal News. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017.
5. McLaughlin, Gerry (4 January 2018). "Michael Langan impresses as Donegal get the better of Queen's". The Irish News. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
6. Walsh, Harry (21 December 2014). "Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel". Donegal News. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Other new names on the Donegal panel include… Kevin McBrearty (Four Masters)…
7. Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
8. Dollery, Paul (14 January 2018). "From a League of Ireland debut at 16 to the Donegal senior panel in 2018: Shaun Patton is leaving professional football behind to pursue success in a different code". The42.ie. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
9. McLaughlin, Gerry (8 March 2018). "Mark Anthony McGinley return a boost for Donegal". The Irish News. Retrieved 8 March 2018. Boyle quit the panel after the match against Kildare in Ballyshannon after former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Shaun Patton replaced him for that match.
10. "McGinley has no regrets". Donegal News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019. McGinley was part of the Donegal panel at the start of the year, and the goalkeeper position was rotated between him and Shaun Patton in the early stages of the league. Eventually Donegal manager Declan Bonner decided to go with Patton as his first choice on St Patrick's weekend, and McGinley decided shortly after that to leave the panel.
11. "McHugh chasing elusive first medal". Donegal News. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019. [Eoin] McHugh took a year out from the Donegal camp last season and headed to Boston, and he subsequently missed out as the senior squad landed the Anglo Celt Cup. Jason McGee was also missing for that triumph, but he has an Ulster Minor Championship medal, so that leaves McHugh and newbies Oisin Gallen and Aaron Doherty as the only members of the squad who haven't claimed provincial honours with the county.
12. McNulty, Chris (13 February 2019). "Micheál Carroll will 'put shoulder to the wheel' for Donegal again in 2019". Retrieved 13 February 2019. Carroll took a step back from the Donegal panel last spring…
13. Cannon, Chris (27 May 2018). "Niall O'Donnell joins Donegal U-20s panel". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
14. O'Brien, Kevin (31 August 2017). "Donegal's Karl Lacey announces his retirement from inter-county football: Lacey won one All-Ireland and four All-Stars during an exceptional 14-year career". The42.ie. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
15. McNulty, Chris (20 February 2019). "'A real leader' — Leo McLoone set for 100th Donegal appearance". Retrieved 20 February 2019.
16. McNulty, Chris (24 September 2017). "Odhrán Mac Niallais and Leo McLoone set for Donegal returns: Duo opted out of panel in 2017 and have spent summer playing in New York". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
17. McNulty, Chris (9 March 2018). "Exclusive: 2012 All-Ireland winner to return from Donegal exile". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
18. "Draft 2018 Allianz League fixtures released". Hogan Stand. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
19. The GAA [@officialgaa] (19 October 2017). "2018 @UlsterGAA SFC QFs @TyroneGAALive v @monaghangaa & @OfficialDownGAA v @AontroimGAA" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2020 – via Twitter.
20. "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
21. McLaughlin, Gerry (22 May 2019). "Paul McGonigle says Donegal are keeping their focus ahead of Fermanagh clash". The Irish News. Retrieved 22 May 2019. Donegal manager Declan Bonner together with assistant manager Paul McGonigle, coach Gary Boyle and selector Stephen Rochford before the McKenna Cup match against Queens at Ballybofey on Sunday December 30 2018.
22. "Stephen Rochford joins Donegal backroom team after Karl Lacey's departure". BBC. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018. Rochford replaces Karl Lacey, who recently stepped away from the Donegal set up citing family reasons.
23. "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
24. Watters, Andy (15 December 2020). "A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin". The Irish News. Retrieved 15 December 2020. But Paul Fisher, the man who has overseen that programme for the last six years has reluctantly decided that it is time to move on. With a gym to run, a family to support and a Masters to complete, the Letterkenny native has stepped down after playing a vital role in the successes of managers Jim McGuinness, Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner.
25. Craig, Frank (21 November 2020). "Morrison determined to make swift return". Donegal News. Retrieved 21 November 2020. 'But the Donegal medical team were on the ball right away. I'd two missed calls from Cathal Ellis before I even got my phone in my hand… Dr Kevin Moran organised the MRI for the Wednesday… Morrison anticipated bad news and was braced for the confirmation of Donegal physio Cathal Ellis' earlier prognosis.
26. McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
27. "CLG Dhún na nGall County Banquet & Awards Night". 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
28. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
29. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
30. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
31. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 11 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
32. "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
33. "GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominations". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
34. "Eoghan 'Ban' Gallagher savours Ulster triumph". Donegal News. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018. Gallagher was this week revealed as the Donegal News Sports Personality of the Month award winner for June, and he was happy to reflect back on that famous win.
35. McNulty, Chris (14 September 2018). "Three Ulster All-Stars on a night of celebration for Donegal". Retrieved 14 September 2018.
36. McNulty, Chris (2 September 2018). "Eoghan Ban Gallagher named on Sunday Game 'Team of the Year'". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
37. O'Toole, Fintan (12 September 2018). "12 players from Dublin as 11 counties feature in 2018 All-Star football nominations: Tyrone, Monaghan, Galway, Kildare, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Fermanagh, Armagh and Carlow also have nominees". The42.ie. Retrieved 12 September 2018.