Cian Mulligan joined the panel again after departing the previous season.[6]Conor Morrison, who played six games in the 2019 season before deciding to depart in March, returned.
Donegal competed in Division 1 for the 2020 National League season. The GAA published the fixture schedule on 26 November 2019.[12][13][14] On 12 March 2020, the GAA suspended the National League in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Games resumed in October 2020.[2] The footballers travelled the round-trip of 900 kilometres to Tralee in their own cars to play Kerry in the first game, a feat described in the Irish Independent as the "most eye-catching example of GAA expeditions in the Covid era".[15]
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2020. Source: GAA.ie Rules for classification: 1) League points 2) Where only two teams are involved, the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the competition 3) Scoring Difference 4) Highest Total Score For 5) A Play-Off. (C) League champions; (R) Relegated Notes:
The draw for the 2020 Ulster SFC took place on RTÉ Radio 1 on the morning of 9 October 2019.[16][17][18]
Paddy McGrath sustained an injury during training ahead of the 2020 Ulster SFC semi-final, which ruled him out.[19]
Ciarán Thompson and Oisín Gallen sustained injuries during training ahead of the 2020 Ulster SFC final; Thompson could only make a substitute appearance in the game and Gallen could not play at all.[20]
Gls: P Mogan 1. Pts: M Langan 3, P Mogan 2, R McHugh 2, J Brennan 2, C McGonigle 2 (1m), C Thompson 2 (1f), N O’Donnell 2 (1m), M Murphy 2 (2f), EB Gallagher 1, H McFadden 1 (m), P McBrearty 1, O Gallen 1, A McClean 1
Pts: R O’Neill 7 (6f, 1x’45′), J Clarke 2, C Turbitt 2 (1m), O O’Neil 1, N Grimley 1 (1m).
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, the GAA announced that there would be no back-door route into the All-Ireland Championship. Therefore, because Donegal did not win the Ulster Championship, they did not qualify for the 2020 All-Ireland Championship.
Management team
Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted:[21]
^Craig, Frank (24 September 2020). "Situation was avoidable says Kilcar chairman". Donegal News. p. 64. Naomh Conaill men Ciarán Thompson, Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí, Eoghan McGettigan and Ethan O'Donnell are all in Declan Bonner's squad along with Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, Eoin McHugh and Andrew McClean from Kilcar.
^Ferry, Ryan (12 August 2021). "Ethan eager to play final". Donegal News. p. 67. O'Donnell heads into the county final after a breakthrough season with the Donegal seniors. He was involved with the Donegal panel in 2017 and 2020, but found his game time limited. However, he came on in the first league match against Tyrone this year, and ended up featuring in five of the seven games that the county side played… 'Peadar Mogan got injured before the Dublin match and I got my wee break then'... O'Donnell started against Dublin in the league semi-final, and he was thrown in from the off against Derry in the Ulster quarter-final. Further details in the print edition.
^McLaughlin, Gerry (4 January 2020). "McGee urges new players to take their chance". The Irish News. Retrieved 4 January 2020. Aaron Deeney, Conor O'Donnell, Brian O'Donnell, Andrew McClean, Ciaran Diver, Jeaic MacCeallbhui, Enda McCormick and Ethan O'Donnell are some of the new boys who will be hoping for some game-time.
^Ferry, Ryan (12 November 2020). "Huge prize at stake for Donegal". Donegal News. p. 64. Bonner says Donegal are in good shape for the match [Ulster semi-final], although they do have one injury concern. Paddy McGrath picked up a knock last weekend in training… 'Paddy has picked up a knock. He has a soft tissue injury from the weekend. It's nothing too serious, but the turnaround time for this weekend is too quick'.
^Bonner, Declan (26 November 2020). "Painful defeat in Ulster final". Donegal News. p. 63. Oisin Gallen and Ciaran Thompson picked up injuries at training last Tuesday night. Oisin wasn't able to play, while Ciaran was only able to come on as a sub…
^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.
^ abCraig, 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.
