2022 Donegal Senior Football Championship Explained

Competition:Donegal S.F.C.
Season:2022
Winners:Naomh Conaill (6th title)
Relegated:Réalt na Mara
Continentalcup1:Ulster SCFC
Continentalcup2:Winning captain
Continentalcup2 Qualifiers:Kevin McGettigan
Continentalcup3:Man of the Match
Continentalcup3 Qualifiers:Ciarán Thompson
Continentalcup4:Winning manager
Continentalcup4 Qualifiers:Martin Regan
Prevseason:2021
Nextseason:2023

The 2022 Donegal Senior Football Championship was the 100th official edition of Donegal GAA's premier Gaelic football tournament for senior graded clubs in County Donegal. 16 teams competed, with the winner representing Donegal in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.

St Eunan's was defending champion after defeating Naomh Conaill in the 2021 final.

Naomh Conaill advanced again, to the 2022 final, where the club won this time, but in controversial circumstances, and by one point, after St Eunan's player Shane O'Donnell was sent off for patting Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí.

Team changes

The following teams changed division since the 2021 championship season.

To S.F.C.

Promoted from 2021 Donegal I.F.C.

From S.F.C.

Relegated to 2022 Donegal I.F.C.

League stage

The draw was held on Tuesday evening, 21 June, at the Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town.[1] [2] The sixteen clubs were separated into two groups of eight.[1] Four round-robin games for all clubs was the format, then the group standings amalgamated to decide on the competition's quarter-finalists.[1] The first games were scheduled for 13–14 August, a weekend.[1]

Groups

Group A
Glenswilly
Gaoth Dobhair
St Eunan's
Na Cealla Beaga
Four Masters
Aodh Ruadh
Cill Chartha
St Michael's
Group B
Glenfin
Seán MacCumhaills
Milford
Cloich Cheann Fhaola
Ard an Rátha
St Naul's
Naomh Conaill
Réalt na Mara

Fixtures

Round 1:[1] Na Cealla Beaga played Glenfin.[3] Cill Chartha played Milford.[4] Aodh Ruadh played Réalt na Mara.[5] [6] Four Masters played Cloich Cheann Fhaola.[7] Glenswilly played Naomh Conaill.[8] Gaoth Dobhair played Ard an Rátha.[9] [10] St Eunan's played St Naul's.[11] St Michael's played Seán MacCumhaills.[12] [13]

Round 2:[1] Cloich Cheann Fhaola played Cill Chartha.[14] [15] Glenfin played Gaoth Dobhair.[16] [17] St Naul's played Glenswilly.[18] Seán MacCumhaills played Four Masters.[19] Milford played St Michael's.[20] [21] [22] Naomh Conaill played Na Cealla Beaga.[23] [24] [25] Réalt na Mara played St Eunan's.[26] [27] [28] [29] Ard an Rátha played Aodh Ruadh.[30]

The draw determined the first two sets of fixtures; the third and fourth sets of fixtures of the round-robin stage were not determined until the second and third rounds had concluded.[1]

Round 3: On 27 August, St Eunan's played Cloich Cheann Fhaola,[31] while Four Masters played Réalt na Mara.[32] On 28 August, Na Cealla Beaga played Milford,[33] [34] Naomh Conaill played St Michael's,[35] [36] Cill Chartha played Ard an Rátha,[37] [38] Glenswilly played Glenfin,[39] Gaoth Dobhair played Seán MacCumhaills,[40] and Aodh Ruadh played St Naul's.[41]

Round 4:All eight fixtures were played on 4 September. Na Cealla Beaga played Cloich Cheann Fhaola.[42] [43] Glenswilly played Ard an Rátha.[44] [45] Naomh Conaill played Gaoth Dobhair.[46] St Michael's played St Naul's,[47] with the former securing the last available place in the quarter-finals.[48] Glenfin played Four Masters.[49] [50] St Eunan's played Seán MacCumhaills and finished top of the league stage on points difference, while Aodh Ruadh played Milford and Cill Chartha played Réalt na Mara.[51]

Quarter-finals

The first quarter-final ended with Cill Chartha defeating Na Cealla Beaga 1–14 to 1–7 at Tír Chonaill Park.[52] [53] [54]

St Eunan's had a 16-point (2–15 to 0–5) win against St Michael's at Davy Brennan Memorial Park.[55] [56]

The other two quarter-finals saw Gaoth Dobhair emerge with a one-point (0–8 to 0–7) win against Aodh Ruadh at Fintra,[57] while Naomh Conaill defeated Glenswilly by 2–10 to 0–10 at O'Donnell Park.[58] [59]

Semi-finals

A draw was held to determine the semi-final pairings.[60]

The first semi-final — between Cill Chartha and St Eunan's — was scheduled for 20:00 on Saturday 24 September at MacCumhaill Park, and to be streamed live (pay-per-view) on Donegal GAA TV, while the second semi-final — between Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill — was scheduled for 16:00 on Sunday 25 September also at MacCumhaill Park, and also to be streamed live (pay-per-view) on Donegal GAA TV.[61] However, the first semi-final was postponed until the following weekend, due to bereavements (the father and sister of Brendan Devenney had both died, suddenly, and separately).[62]

Naomh Conaill defeated Gaoth Dobhair by 0–13 to 1–8 in what was to have been the second semi-final, but ended up being the first played.[63] St Eunan's defeated Cill Chartha by 1–13 to 1–11 in the other semi-final, with both victors qualifying for the 2022 championship final.[64]

Final

This was Naomh Conaill's sixth consecutive appearance in the final.[65] The club won a sixth title.[66]

Originally scheduled for 9 October 2022, the game was called off in the aftermath of the Creeslough explosion.[67]

A minute's silence was held before the game.[68] Black armbands were also worn.[66]

Naomh Conaill won this one, but in controversial circumstances, and by one point, after St Eunan's player Shane O'Donnell was sent off for patting Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí.[69] [70]

Ulster Senior Club Football Championship

See main article: 2022 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship and 2022–23 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.

Naomh Conaill advanced to the 2022 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.

The club lost its quarter-final, on penalties.[71]

Relegation play-offs

Four teams qualified for the 2022 Donegal SFC relegation play-offs.

Both semi-finals were held on Sunday 25 September.[61] Ard an Rátha v St Naul's was played at Eamonn O'Broinn Memorial Park from 13:00, and streamed live (pay-per-view) on Donegal GAA TV; Milford v Réalt na Mara was played at Páirc Aodh Rua from 13:30, and streamed live (and available for free) on Donegal Facebook.[61]

The two losing semi-finalists were St Naul's (defeated by 3–6 to 0–9) and Réalt na Mara (defeated by 4–16 to 3–16, after extra time).[72]

St Naul's — achieving a first win in the 2022 SFC — defeated Réalt na Mara by 0–13 to 1–6 in the play-off final at Tírconaill Park, thus relegating Réalt na Mara to the 2023 Intermediate Championship.[73]

Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh

On 12 December 2022, Brendan McDyer was named as the recipient of the annual Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh.[74] [75] RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced the decision.[76] McDyer was not expecting to be selected.[77] He received the award at an official function in Letterkenny on the evening of 14 December 2022.[78] [79]

Notes and References

  1. News: Aodh Ruadh to face Bundoran in Donegal championship. Ocean FM. 22 June 2022. 22 June 2022.
  2. News: Alan. Foley. Here's the draws and all the fixtures for the Donegal GAA county championships: The draw for the 2022 competitions took place in Donegal Town, with SFC winners St Eunan's taking on St Naul's in the opening round and IFC holders Cloughaneely at Four Masters to start. 21 June 2022. 21 June 2022.
  3. News: Hugh McFadden fires Killybegs to win against Glenfin. Highland Radio. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  4. News: Martin. McHugh. Martin McHugh (Gaelic footballer). Kilcar begin Donegal Senior Football Championship with win over Milford. Highland Radio. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  5. News: Ryan. Ferry. John McNulty reflects on Aodh Ruadh victory over Bundoran. Highland Radio. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  6. News: Ryan. Ferry. Aodh Ruadh get the better of Bundoran in Championship opener. Highland Radio. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  7. News: Peter. Campbell. Honours shared in Tirconaill Park between Four Masters and Cloughaneely. 13 August 2022. 13 August 2022.
  8. News: Honours even between Glenswilly and Naomh Conaill in SFC. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  9. News: Frank. Craig. Gaoth Dobhair open Donegal SFC account with home victory over Ardara. Highland Radio. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  10. News: Alan. Foley. Collum signs off in style as Gaoth Dobhair waltz past Ardara: Eamonn Collum is headed for pastures new this week and he scored 2–3 for Gaoth Dobhair in their Donegal SFC opener against Ardara. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  11. News: Charlie. Collins. St Eunan's begin title defence with comfortable win over St Naul's. 13 August 2022. 13 August 2022.
  12. News: Dáire. Bonnar. Spoils shared between St Michael's and Sean MacCumhaills at The Bridge. 13 August 2022. 13 August 2022.
  13. News: Chris. McNulty. St Michael's and Sean MacCumhaills share the spoils in SFC opener: Michael Langan and Joel Bradley-Walsh swapped goals on a night when St Michael's and Sean MacCumhaills were level eight times. 13 August 2022. 13 August 2022.
  14. News: Charlie. Collins. Kilcar prove too strong for Cloughaneely in Donegal SFC. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  15. News: Tom. Comack. Maximum points for Kilcar following victory at Cloughaneely: Following on from the beating Milford on the opening weekend of the Donegal SFC, Kilcar continued their winning ways at Cloughaneely. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  16. News: Alan. Foley. Gaoth Dobhair's bounce continues with victory at Glenfin in Donegal SFC: Trevor Alcorn's side came through by inches against Glenfin at Pairc Taobhoige to win for the second time in the Donegal SFC, having opened with victory against Ardara. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  17. News: Dáire. Bonnar. Harkin kicks Gaoth Dobhair to glory against Glenfin. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  18. News: Glenswilly ensure no slip-ups as they overcome St Naul's. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  19. News: Charlie. Collins. Impressive Mac Cumhaills continue at pace with victory over Four Masters. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  20. News: Ryan. Ferry. St Michael's claim 13 point win over Milford in Donegal SFC. Highland Radio. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  21. News: Tom. Comack. St Michael's move through the gears to beat Milford: Andrew Kelly and Michael Langan led the line for St Michael's as they moved onto three points with a comprehensive victory in Milford. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  22. News: Slick St Michael's add to Milford's woes in SFC. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  23. News: Frank. Craig. Martin Regan reflects on Naomh Conaill's home victory over Killybegs. Highland Radio. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  24. News: Frank. Craig. Naomh Conaill prove too strong for Killybegs. Highland Radio. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  25. News: Charlie. Collins. Naomh Conaill dominate second half to beat Killybegs. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  26. News: St Eunan's show strength-in-depth to cruise past Bundoran. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  27. News: Brendan. Devenney. Brendan Devenney. David O'Herlihy reflects on St Eunan's victory in Bundoran. Highland Radio. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  28. News: Brendan. Devenney. Brendan Devenney. Barney Curran on Bundoran's home defeat against St Eunan's. Highland Radio. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  29. News: Brendan. Devenney. Brendan Devenney. St Eunan's ease to victory over Bundoran. Highland Radio. 21 August 2022. 21 August 2022.
  30. News: Gerry. McLaughlin. Aodh Ruadh cling on to defeat Ardara in low-scoring affair: John McNulty's side eked out their second narrow win — following on from their victory over Bundoran — against an Ardara team who ran them close late on. 20 August 2022. 20 August 2022.
  31. News: Comfortable win for St Eunan's secures their quarter-final place. 27 August 2022. 27 August 2022.
  32. News: Early Faulkner goals set up Four Masters win. 27 August 2022. 27 August 2022.
  33. News: Ryan. Ferry. FT Report & Reaction: Killybegs earn victory over Milford. Highland Radio. 27 August 2022. 27 August 2022.
  34. News: Killybegs late surge wins game against Milford. 27 August 2022. 27 August 2022.
  35. News: Oisín. Kelly. FT Report & Reaction: Naomh Conaill prove too strong for St Michael's. Highland Radio. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  36. News: McGuinness grabs the goals as Naomh Conaill power past St Michael's. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  37. News: McBrearty inspires Kilcar with 1–10 against Ardara. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  38. News: McBrearty on form as Kilcar turn on the power in second half to defeat Ardara: Not for the first time Patrick McBrearty was on top form for Kilcar, notching 1–10 as he helped his side to a 14 point win over Ardara in Towney on Sunday afternoon. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  39. News: Glenswilly remain unbeaten as they overcome challenge of Glenfin. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  40. News: Brendan. Devenney. Brendan Devenney. Gaoth Dobhair claim home win over MacCumhaill's. Highland Radio. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  41. News: Aodh Rua make it three from three with victory over St Naul's. 28 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  42. News: Tom. Comack. Killybegs safely through to the last eight with win in Cloughaneely: Killybegs won for the third time in round one to progress to the last eight of the Donegal SFC and a date with Kilcar, defeating a Cloughaneely side who survive on their first year back in the competition. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  43. News: Tom. Comack. Killybegs prove too strong for Cloughaneely- FT Report & Reaction. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  44. News: Alan. Foley. Michael Murphy makes his mark as Glenswilly confirm last eight spot in Ardara: The Donegal skipper scored four second half marks as his side came from two down at the break to overcome an Ardara side who will have to enter the relegation play-offs to survive. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  45. News: Frank. Craig. Glenswilly set up Donegal SFC Quarter Final with Naomh Conaill after win over Ardara-Ft Report and Reaction. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  46. News: Naomh Conaill claim win over Gaoth Dobhair. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  47. News: Brendan. Devenney. Brendan Devenney. FT Report & Reaction: St Michael's seal Quarter Final place with victory over St Naul's. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  48. News: Gerry. McLaughlin. St Michael's squeeze into last eight as St Naul's end up pointless: Twelve months ago St Naul's were headed for a first ever Donegal SFC quarter-final but they've lost all four of their outings in this year's competition, with St Michael's getting the last of the eight places on offer. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  49. News: Diarmaid. Doherty. FT Report & Reaction as Glenfin retain Senior Football status after victory over Four Masters. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  50. News: Diarmaid. Doherty. Glenfin secure victory over Four Masters to avoid dreaded relegation play-offs: The season has come to an end for both of these sides after Sunday's Round 4 meeting at Pairc Taoibhoige. Glenfin were the better side and denied Four Masters an outside chance of finishing in the last eight. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  51. News: Aodh Ruadh, Kilcar and St Eunan's claim wins in Donegal SFC. Highland Radio. 4 September 2022. 4 September 2022.
  52. News: Dáire. Bonnar. McBrearty on cloud nine as Kilcar reach SFC semi-final. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  53. News: FT Report & Reaction: Kilcar beat rivals Killybegs to seal Donegal SFC semi final spot. Highland Radio. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  54. News: Barry O'Hagan praises Kilcar after win over Killybegs. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  55. News: St Eunan's ease into Donegal Senior Football Championship semi finals. Highland Radio. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  56. News: Club Championship round-up: St Eunan's & Glen keep alive hopes of defending Donegal & Derry titles. BBC Sport. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  57. News: FT Report and Reaction: Gaoth Dobhair squeeze by Aodh Ruadh in Donegal SFC quarter final. Highland Radio. 17 September 2022. 17 September 2022.
  58. News: Donegal Senior Football Championship Quarter Final wrap. Highland Radio. 18 September 2022. 18 September 2022. Kilcar claimed a seven point victory over Killybegs in the opening quarter final of the weekend, 1–14 to 1–07..
  59. News: Dáire. Bonnar. McLoone goal ensures Naomh Conaill win over Glenswilly. 18 September 2022. 18 September 2022.
  60. News: 'Intriguing' semi-final in store between Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair. 15 September 2022. 23 September 2022. Both sides had a tough route to this stage but Danny O'Donnell mentions how both sides will have been delighted with the draw for the semi-final..
  61. News: Senior Championship Semi-finals. 24 September 2022. 24 September 2022.
  62. News: Saturday's SFC semi-finals postponed due to bereavements. 22 September 2022. 22 September 2022.
  63. News: Trevor Alcorn reacts to Gaoth Dobhair's Donegal SFC semi final defeat. Highland Radio. 25 September 2022. 25 September 2022.
  64. News: Shane O'Donnell & Rory Kavanagh on St Eunan’s Donegal SFC semi final win over Kilcar. Highland Radio. 1 October 2022. 1 October 2022.
  65. News: Naomh Conaill edge St Eunan's for sixth Donegal SFC crown. Hogan Stand. 15 October 2022. 15 October 2022.
  66. News: Donegal Football Final: Naomh Conaill dethrone 14-man St Eunan's with 1–9 to 2–5 win. BBC Sport. 15 October 2022. 15 October 2022. Thompson immediately edged Naomh Conaill back into the lead, and while Conor Morrison levelled for the holders, Thompson's superb free three minutes from time ensured the Dr Maguire Cup will be heading to Glenties for the sixth time..
  67. News: Donegal sport postponed. Radio Kerry. 8 October 2022. 8 October 2022. Tomorrow's Donegal Senior Football final and all other championship games in the county have been postponed this weekend following yesterday's tragedy in Creeslough. St Eunan's and Naomh Conaill had been set to meet in tomorrow's decider and Donegal GAA say their prayers are with the community of Creeslough.. https://web.archive.org/web/20221008103910/https://www.radiokerry.ie/sport/donegal-sport-postponed-300369. 8 October 2022. live.
  68. News: Naomh Conaill edge 14-man St Eunan's to regain Donegal SFC title. RTÉ Sport. 15 October 2022. 15 October 2022. Naomh Conaill captain Kevin McGettigan paid tribute to the people of Creeslough just before he lifted the Dr Maguire Cup….
  69. News: Naomh Conaill win Donegal SFC title after narrow victory over St Eunan's. The Irish Times. 15 October 2022. 15 October 2022. It was level when St Eunan's midfielder Kevin Kealy prodded to the net in the 50th minute, but man of the match Thompson slammed over immediately as if to throw down a marker..
  70. News: Alan. Foley. Controversy as Naomh Conaill crowned Donegal kings against 14-man St Eunan's: Shane O'Donnell's sending off was the major talking point after Naomh Conaill's one-point win. The42.ie. 15 October 2022. 15 October 2022. O'Donnell followed that up with a pat on Mac Ceallabhuí and, to the surprise of everyone in MacCumhaill Park, was sent off by referee Mark Dorrian..
  71. News: David. Mohan. Naomh Conaill pay the penalty as Cargin squeeze through. RTÉ Sport. 13 November 2022. 13 November 2022.
  72. News: Ardara & Milford secure Senior Football for another season with victories. Highland Radio. 25 September 2022. 25 September 2022.
  73. News: Dáire. Bonnar. St Naul's retain Senior status, Bundoran relegated. 2 October 2022. 2 October 2022.
  74. News: Brendan McDyer to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2022. 12 December 2022. 12 December 2022.
  75. News: Brendan McDyer wins Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh. Ocean FM. 12 December 2022. 12 December 2022.
  76. News: Brendan McDyer to receive Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh 2022. 12 December 2022. 12 December 2022.
  77. News: Tom. Comack. Brendan McDyer honoured with Player of the Championship award. Highland Radio. 14 December 2022. 14 December 2022.
  78. News: Peter. Campbell. Brendan McDyer presented with his Player of the Year award. 14 December 2022. 14 December 2022.
  79. News: Brendan McDyer 'honoured' to win Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh. 15 December 2022. 15 December 2022.

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