2018 Donegal county football team season
The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2018 season.
| 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 |
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]
Kevin McBrearty, who had first been called up ahead of the 2015 Dr McKenna Cup,[4] played in the 2018 National Football League.[5]
Goalkeeper Shaun Patton came into the team versus Kildare in the National Football League. He began training in January 2018.[6] Peter Boyle quit in a dispute over Patton replacing him in the team.[7] Mark Anthony McGinley, the other goalkeeper, also quit the county panel — and the sport entirely.[8]
Eoin McHugh was not involved for the 2018 season, electing to go to Boston instead.[9] Michael Carroll also left the panel.[10]
Jason McGee and Niall O'Donnell both missed the 2018 championship after deciding to play for the under-20 team instead.[11]
Karl Lacey retired at the end of the previous season.[12]
Leo McLoone returned after voluntarily departing the previous year.[13] Likewise Odhrán Mac Niallais.[14] And Anthony Thompson.[15]
Competitions
Dr McKenna Cup
Donegal won the McKenna Cup in 2018.
National Football League Division 1
Fixtures for the 2018 National League were announced on 13 October 2017.[16]
Table
Possible problem: 875 total for != 873 total against
| Pos | Team | 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.
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.
Reports
| 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) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Sunday, February 25 | Donegal | 1-15 (18) – 3-07 (16) | Kildare | Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon |
| 2:00pm | Report |
| 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) |
| 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 Ban Gallagher (Killybegs) |
Ulster Senior Football Championship
The draw for the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship took place on 19 October 2017.[17] 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
Reports
BBC deferred |
13 May 2018 4:00 pm Preliminary Round |
| 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 | |
BBC deferred |
27 May 2018 4:00 pm Quarter-Final D |
| 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) | |
BBC deferred |
10 June 2018 4:00 pm Semi-Final 2 |
| 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 | |
24 June 2018 2:00pm Ulster Final |
| 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 | |
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
All-Ireland 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
Reports
| 14 July 2018 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
|
| 21 July 2018 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
|
| 5 August 2018 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:[18]
- Manager: Declan Bonner
- Assistant manager: Paul McGonigle,[19] not listed among November 2017 appointments
- Head coach: John McElholm[18]
- Coach: Gary Boyle[19]
- Selector: Karl Lacey until end of 2018 season[20] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020[21]
- Goalkeeping coach: Andrew McGovern[18]
- Strength and conditioning coach: Paul Fisher[22]
- Nutritionist: Ronan Doherty[18]
- Team physician: Kevin Moran[23]
- Physio: Cathal Ellis[23]
- Psychology and performance manager: Anthony McGrath,[18] previously involved with the minor team[24]
- Video analysis: Chris Byrne[18]
- Logistics: Packie McDyre[18]
- Kitman: Barry McBride[18]
Awards
All Stars
Ryan McHugh won an All Star. Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Michael Murphy were also nominated.[25]
| 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 FentonFOTY |
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
The Sunday Game Team of the Year
The Sunday Game selected Eoghan Bán Gallagher at left corner-back on its Team of the Year.[26]
Player of the Year
Donegal News Sports Personality of the Month
Eoghan Bán Gallagher: June[28]
GAA.ie Football Team of the Week
- 26 February: Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty[29]
References
- McNulty, Chris (10 October 2017). "Declan Bonner's backroom team ratified by county committee". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- 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.
- "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…
- 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)…
- Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- "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.
- 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…
- Cannon, Chris (27 May 2018). "Niall O'Donnell joins Donegal U-20s panel". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- 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.
- McNulty, Chris (20 February 2019). "'A real leader' — Leo McLoone set for 100th Donegal appearance". Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- 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.
- McNulty, Chris (9 March 2018). "Exclusive: 2012 All-Ireland winner to return from Donegal exile". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- "Draft 2018 Allianz League fixtures released". Hogan Stand. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- The GAA [@officialgaa] (19 October 2017). "2018 @UlsterGAA SFC QFs @TyroneGAALive v @monaghangaa & @OfficialDownGAA v @AontroimGAA" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 December 2020 – via Twitter.
- "Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach". 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
- 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.
- "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.
- "Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons". BBC. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- 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.
- 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.
- McNulty, Chris (1 August 2014). "It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath". Donegal News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- List of nominees
- McNulty, Chris (2 September 2018). "Eoghan Ban Gallagher named on Sunday Game 'Team of the Year'". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- "CLG Dhún na nGall County Banquet & Awards Night". 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
- "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.
- "GAA.ie Football Team of the Week". 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
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