2021 Donegal county football team season explained

Club:Donegal county football team
Season:2021
Manager:Declan Bonner
Stadium:MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
League:NFL D1
League Result:Semi-finalist
Cup1:All-Ireland SFC
Cup1 Result:Did not compete
Cup2:Ulster SFC
Cup2 Result:Semi-finalist
Prevseason:2020
Nextseason:2022

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2021 season.

Personnel changes

Paul Fisher departed as strength and conditioning coach and Antoin McFadden replaced him.[1] [2] Karl Lacey also departed from the management team.[3] James Gallagher returned as goalkeeping coach (his second time in that role),[1] [4] replacing Andrew McGovern.

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

There was no McKenna Cup in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[5]

National Football League Division 1 North

See main article: 2021 National Football League (Ireland). The 2021 competition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Donegal qualified for the semi-finals.[7]

Fixtures

Ulster Senior Football Championship

See main article: 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship. The draw for the 2021 Ulster Championship was made on 22 April 2021.[8] [9]

Fixtures

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

See main article: 2021 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, there was no back-door route into the All-Ireland Championship. Therefore, because Donegal did not win the Ulster Championship, they did not qualify for the 2021 All-Ireland Championship.

Management team

Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted:[10]

Declan Bonner

Gary Boyle[11]

Stephen Rochford,[11] replacing Karl Lacey after 2018 season[12] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020[13]

James Gallagher, after 2020 season[1] [4] replacing Andrew McGovern[10]

Antoin McFadden, who after 2020 season,[14] replaced Paul Fisher[15]

Ronan Doherty[10]

Kevin Moran

Cathal Ellis[16]

Packie McDyre[10]

Barry McBride[10]

Awards

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

All Stars

One nomination, for Michael Langan[26] [27]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bonner makes additions to Donegal backroom team. Donegal News. 7 January 2021. 7 January 2021.
  2. News: Andy. Watters. A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin. The Irish News. 15 December 2020. 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..
  3. News: Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons. BBC Sport. 4 January 2021. 4 January 2021.
  4. News: Ryan. Ferry. Gallagher to return as goalkeeping coach. Donegal News. 9 November 2023. 72. James Gallagher is set for a third stint as the goalkeeping coach with the Donegal senior football team. Gallagher, pictured right, was previously involved during Rory Gallagher's time in charge, while he also worked with the netminders during Declan Bonner's last seasons at the helm. The Meenlaragh native was not involved in 2023 with Declan McIntyre taking on the role. However, Gallagher has been coaxed back by Jim McGuinness… [Gallagher] has previous experience of working with [Donegal goalkeeper] Shaun Patton… [Gallagher] donned the gloves for Glenswilly Gaelic football team during their 2016 Championship success..
  5. News: GAA fixture calendar for 2021 revealed. Impartial Reporter. 24 December 2020. 24 December 2020.
  6. News: What will the delayed GAA season look like? Here are four possible scenarios. Irish Examiner. John. Fogarty. 27 January 2021. 27 January 2021.
  7. News: Garry. Doyle. Donegal and Tyrone secure semi-final slots after dramatic shift in fortunes: Armagh and Monaghan are in relegation play-offs following comebacks from their Ulster rivals in tonight's NFL games. The42.ie. 29 May 2021. 29 May 2021.
  8. News: 2021 GAA Football and Hurling Championship Draws: Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster pairings decided. Sky Sports. 22 April 2021. 22 April 2021.
  9. News: Ulster SFC: Reigning champions Cavan draw Tyrone in quarter-finals. BBC. 22 April 2021. 22 April 2021.
  10. News: Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach. 10 November 2017. 10 November 2017.
  11. News: Gerry. McLaughlin. Paul McGonigle says Donegal are keeping their focus ahead of Fermanagh clash. The Irish News. 22 May 2019. 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..
  12. News: Stephen Rochford joins Donegal backroom team after Karl Lacey's departure. BBC. 19 October 2018. 19 October 2018. Rochford replaces Karl Lacey, who recently stepped away from the Donegal set up citing family reasons..
  13. News: Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons. BBC. 4 January 2021. 4 January 2021.
  14. News: Bonner makes additions to Donegal backroom team. Donegal News. 7 January 2021. 7 January 2021.
  15. News: Andy. Watters. A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin. The Irish News. 15 December 2020. 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..
  16. News: Frank. Craig. Morrison determined to make swift return. Donegal News. 21 November 2020. 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..
  17. News: Chris. McNulty. It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath. Donegal News. 1 August 2014. 1 August 2014.
  18. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 17 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  19. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 24 May 2021. 24 May 2021.
  20. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 31 May 2021. 31 May 2021.
  21. News: Paddy McBrearty voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week. 1 June 2021. 1 June 2021.
  22. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 28 June 2021. 28 June 2021.
  23. News: McHugh and McBrearty on GAA Team of Week. Donegal News. 1 July 2021. 93. The GAA revealed their picks for their Football Team of the Week yesterday, and included are Donegal and Kilcar pair Ryan McHugh and Patrick McBrearty. McHugh delivered a man of the match performance in Donegal's annihilation of Down last weekend, kicking four points from defence. Up top, McBrearty was chief tormentor and booted 1–6 against the Mourne men..
  24. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 12 July 2021. 12 July 2021.
  25. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 19 July 2021. 19 July 2021.
  26. News: Champions Tyrone lead the way in All-Star nominations. RTÉ Sport. 8 October 2021. 8 October 2021.
  27. News: Langan only Donegal player nominated for GAA All-Star. 8 October 2021. 8 October 2021.

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