2022 Donegal county football team season explained

Club:Donegal county football team
Season:2022
Manager:Declan Bonner
Stadium:MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
League:NFL D1
League Result:4th
Cup1:All-Ireland SFC
Cup1 Result:Round 2 qualifier
Cup2:Ulster SFC
Cup2 Result:Finalist
Cup3:Dr McKenna Cup
Cup3 Result:Finalist
Prevseason:2021
Nextseason:2023

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2022 season.

Personnel changes

Declan Bonner had been reappointed for another two-year term as manager at the end of August 2021, when no other candidates emerged to succeed him.[1]

Paddy Campbell joined the management team.[2] Also joining the management team were Dr Ciarán Kearney and — as strength and conditioning coach — Mattie Brady. Part of the responsibility of Brady — originally from Clonoe, County Tyrone — was to work with players arriving into the senior squad from underage teams.[3]

Paddy McGrath, who won the Sam Maguire Cup in the 2012 season, announced his retirement from inter-county football ahead of the 2022 season.[4] Odhrán Mac Niallais also opted to depart.[5]

Kit

A new kit was launched, featuring a "shadow print" naming each of the county's clubs.[6] Players shirts began to feature "Circet" on the front, as the "KN Group" rebranded.[7] Sleeve sponsors were POD-TRAK and Global Hydrate, with Abbey Hotel on the back of the player shirts.[8]

Squad

List of players

Neil McGee remained injured ahead of the season, following the 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final against Tyrone.[9] [10] He would retire at the end of the year.[11] [12] [13]

Oisín Gallen appeared as a substitute in the 2022 National Football League fixture against Tyrone but then sustained an injury, missing the 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship, including the final.[14] [15]

Competitions

Dr McKenna Cup

See main article: 2022 Dr McKenna Cup. The group draw took place on 15 December 2021.[16] [17] [18] Donegal won three games from four and advanced as far as the final.

Nine players made their senior debut in this competition, though only three — Odhrán Doherty, Charles McGuinness and Shane O'Donnell — played in each of the four games.[19] McGuinness and O'Donnell made their debuts against Down, while the other seven (Caolan McColgan, Odhrán Doherty, Jamie Grant, Rory O'Donnell, Mark Curran, Aaron Doherty and Ryan McFadden) made their debuts against Antrim.[20]

Fixtures

National Football League Division 1

See main article: 2022 National Football League (Ireland). The team for the fixture against Kerry was the same as the one given in the matchday programme.[21]

Injuries were a problem ahead of the Tyrone game; Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan and team captain Michael Murphy were all still injured, while Caolan McGonagle had sustained a hand injury thought to have ruled him out of the rest of the competition, and then there was Tony McClenaghan also now injured as well.[22]

Ahead of the final round of fixtures (and Donegal's game against Armagh), injuries ruled out Oisín Gallen, Langan, McGonagle, Niall O'Donnell and Ciarán Thompson.[23]

League appearances by other new players included:Eunan Doherty made a substitute appearance against Mayo.

Shane O'Donnell and Mark Curran made substitute appearances against Kildare.

Shane McDonnell (O'Donnell?) and Rory O'Donnell started against Kerry.

Shane O'Donnell started against Tyrone.

Eunan Doherty made a substitute appearance against Monaghan.

Shane O'Donnell made a substitute appearance against Dublin.

Shane O'Donnell started against Armagh.

Fixtures

Ulster Senior Football Championship

See main article: 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship. The draw for the 2021 Ulster Championship was made on 28 November 2021.[24] [25]

Shane O'Donnell started and scored a point against Armagh. He also started against Cavan and Derry.

Fixtures

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

See main article: 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

According to Armagh's coach Kieran Donaghy, it was the decision of the players to push up against Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton's kick-outs in the 2022 All-Ireland SFC qualifier win — a decision that brought them back into the game. Donaghy said: "The boys have to get all the credit really because it was going away from us. We got the electric start (with Rory Grugan's goal after 10 seconds) then conceded six points in a row, but the lads wanted to push up on Patton's kick-out. We were in the stage of 'do we try to hold on until half-time then push on' but Rory Grugan said 'no, we're going to push up on it'. I think those two turnovers, we got the free then the black card and the penalty, they were a huge momentum lift. But I thought our half-back line was really good. Greg (McCabe) and Jarly Og (Burns) got a few vital turnovers before half-time and put us going the other way."[26]

Pauric McShea wrote, following the season-ending loss to Armagh: "If there was a technical report on Donegal 2022 it would possibly read 'Too cautious and not emerging from their passivity to have a crack'". McShea also wrote: "Dismay at Donegal's demise in the championship this year should be partially offset by the team's display in the first quarter of our game with Armagh last Sunday week. This was football of the highest order and real football people would understand that Michael Murphy's presence was a major factor in this show of attacking excellence."[27]

Management team

Confirmed in November 2017, with replacements noted:[28]

Declan Bonner

Gary Boyle[29]

Stephen Rochford,[29] replacing Karl Lacey after 2018 season[31] but Lacey actually carried on until the end of 2020[32]

James Gallagher, after 2020 season[33] replacing Andrew McGovern[28]

Mattie Brady, from 2022 season, replacing Antoin McFadden, who after 2020 season,[34] replaced Paul Fisher[35]

Ronan Doherty[28]

Kevin Moran

Cathal Ellis[36]

Packie McDyre[28]

Barry McBride[28]

Awards

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

Notes

Minor panel (Ulster Minor Football League)Zach Conlon (Malin), J. P. McGuinness (Killybegs), Fiachra McClafferty (Downings), Donal Gallagher (Glenswilly), Gareth Gallagher (Termon), Danny Diver (Carndonagh), Jack Long (Glenfin), Oisín Scanlon (St Eunan's), Shaun McMenamin (MacCumhaill's), Sean Martin (MacCumhaill's), Eoghan Kelly (Aodh Ruadh), Niall Prendiville (St Naul's), Cian McGee (An Clochán Liath), Finbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), Shane Delahunty (Aodh Ruadh), Eoghan Scott (Glenswilly), Ben Rafferty (Kilcar), Cian McMenamin (Termon), Sean McLaughlin (Buncrana), Lorcan McGee (Cloughaneely), Conor McGinty (MacCumahill's), Odhran Doherty (Naomh Conaill), Mark McDevitt (Naomh Conaill), Max Roarty (St Michael's), Odhran O'Connor (Glenfin), Gavin Doherty (Killybegs), Karl Joseph Molloy (Ardara), Ryan Barrett (Bundoran), Kevin Lynch (Naomh Pádraig, Muff), Daithi Gildea (Glenswilly), Padraig Coyle (Cloughaneely), Senan Carr (Four Masters), Jack Hegarty (Naomh Ultan), Shane Callaghan (Naomh Columba). Manager: Luke Barrett (third season)[55]

Notes and References

  1. News: Seán. Moran. Declan Bonner to stay on as Donegal manager for a further two years: No other candidates were proposed by the clubs in the county. The Irish Times. 30 August 2021. 30 August 2021.
  2. News: Ryan. Ferry. Campbell joins Donegal senior coaching team. Donegal News. 25 November 2021. 88.
  3. News: Brady takes on Senior Athletic Performance Coach role. Donegal News. 16 December 2021. 63. Tyrone native Mattie Brady has been appointed as Donegal GAA's new Senior Athletic Performance Coach. The Clonoe man beat off stiff competition for the position… Brady… will be responsible for the physical development, coaching and monitoring of senior and incoming senior development players progressing from the underage structure in the county..
  4. News: All-Ireland winning Donegal defender McGrath retires from inter-county football. The42.ie. 6 December 2021. 6 December 2021.
  5. News: Frank. Craig. MacNiallais blow for Donegal. Donegal News. 23 December 2021. 64. The Donegal News understands that the mercurial Gaoth Dobhair man (pictured) has decided not to return to the set-up after they regrouped for the first time a fortnight ago… Ex county star Paddy Campbell has joined the coaching set-up alongside Bonner and Stephen Rochford while Tyrone native Mattie Brady, who is from Dungannnon, is the county's new full-time strength and conditioning coach. Dr Ciarán Kearney — who has worked very closely with Paddy Tally in the past — has also come on board. Dr Kearney's chief role, according to one player that[sic] previously worked under him, is one of 'building a culture around a team'..
  6. News: New Donegal GAA Kit Launched in Donegal GAA Centre this Morning. Donegal GAA. 6 December 2021. 6 December 2021.
  7. News: Declan. Bonner. McGrath was a tremendous servant to Donegal football: New jersey. Donegal News. 9 December 2021. 71. We are lucky to have good people involved in sponsoring us and they will see the names of their business on the jersey. Paul O'Donnell of Pod-Trak has come on board and he is a great help. Paul comes from Glencolmcille… Circet will be the name on the front of the jersey after they took over the KN Group. We have a good working relationship with Circet and Donagh Kelly and long may that continue. Liam Clancy and the Abbey Hotel have always been great backers of Donegal GAA, and our hydration partners Global Hydrate will also be on the sleeve..
  8. News: Donegal launch their new 2022 kit. Donegal News. 9 December 2021. 66. The jersey also retains long-term sponsors Abbey Hotel on the rear of the jersey and the change of ownership of KN to CIRCET is reflected on the front..
  9. News: Cathal. Dennehy. Donegal footballers haven't delivered on potential since 2020 — coach Stephen Rochford. Irish Independent. 14 December 2021. 14 December 2021. Rochford revealed Neil McGee is still rehabbing from the serious back injury sustained in that Tyrone game but he expects him back in action during the league. 'I know he’s going through his own programme with a bit of yoga and pilates and those items, but we are looking forward to seeing him at the turn of the new year', he said..
  10. News: Ryan. Ferry. Donegal need to deliver on potential — Rochford. 16 December 2021. 63. [Stephen] Rochford said: 'I'm not sure if people were aware but Neil picked up quite a nasty injury in that Tyrone game and had to come off after only a couple of minutes. It took him a bit of a period over the summer (to recover) and his club championship was hampered by it, so it's just a case at the moment of getting Neil up-and-running'..
  11. News: Frank. Craig. McGee checks out. Donegal News. 29 September 2022. Published as "McGee checks out…" in the Donegal News of the same date, 29 September 2022: pp 96 (back page); 88 (interview, "McGee steps away").
  12. News: Neil McGee retires from Donegal duty aged 37. Hogan Stand. 29 September 2022. 29 September 2022.
  13. News: Donegal stalwart Neil McGee retires aged 37. RTÉ Sport. 29 September 2022. 29 September 2022.
  14. News: Donegal's Gallen ruled out of Ulster SFC final. Hogan Stand. 20 May 2022. 20 May 2022.
  15. News: Ulster Football Final: Injured Donegal forward Oisin Gallen ruled out of Derry decider. BBC Sport. 20 May 2022. 20 May 2022. Gallen (left) has not featured for Donegal since his substitute appearance in the Division One win over Tyrone in February.
  16. News: Neil. Loughran. Friday night lights as McKenna Cup gets county season under way. The Irish News. 2 December 2021. 2 December 2021.
  17. News: Neil. Loughran. Team holiday forces Tyrone to miss Dr McKenna Cup opener. The Irish News. 16 December 2021. 16 December 2021.
  18. News: Tyrone to play Armagh in McKenna Cup. BBC Sport. 15 December 2021. 15 December 2021.
  19. News: Ryan. Ferry. Donegal go in search of strong league start in Sligo on Saturday. Donegal News. 27 January 2022. 70. Their McKenna Cup campaign was steady if unspectacular. They won three of their four games and reached the McKenna Cup Final… It has been interesting that players who have been on the fringes in recent years like Michael Lynch, Conor O'Donnell, and Eunan Doherty have got plenty of game time, and they will be hoping to kick on. Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí is back available after an injury-hit campaign in 2021, while Tony McClenaghan will also be hoping he can stay at peak fitness and get a consistent run at the season. There were nine debutants in pre-season but many of those were a nod to the future. Only three — Shane O'Donnell, Charlie McGuinness, and Odhran Doherty — were used in each McKenna Cup game, and they will face a battle to earn minutes in the league… Hugh McFadden has been mainly used as a sweeper over the last four years, but he won't be available at the start of the league, and it will be interesting to see if another midfielder is given than[sic] role, or a wing-forward, or if it ceases to exist. Ciaran Thompson has been looked at in midfield in pre-season, and Odhran McFadden-Ferry has been tried at wing-forward, but will that persist going forward?… Neil McGee won't feature in the opening weeks, so there is likely to be an opportunity for Brendan McCole or Caolan Ward to cement a spot in the full-back line..
  20. News: Alan. Foley. Donegal do enough to see off Antrim to reach Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals. 15 January 2022. 15 January 2022.
  21. News: Donegal team named as per programme. 20 February 2022. 20 February 2022.
  22. News: Chris. McNulty. Michael Langan still ruled out as Tyrone roll into town. 23 February 2022. 23 February 2022.
  23. News: Ryan. Ferry. Bonner's men fully focused on National League finale. Donegal News. 24 March 2022. 72. Bonner confirmed that Michael Langan, Caolan McGonagle, Oisin Gallen, Niall O'Donnell and Ciaran Thompson will miss out through injury again this Sunday..
  24. News: 2022 Senior Football and Hurling Provincial Championship draws. GAA.ie. 29 November 2021. 29 November 2021.
  25. News: 2022 Football Championship draw: Galway pitted against Mayo in Connacht, Kerry paired with Cork in Munster. Sky Sports. 28 November 2021. 28 November 2021.
  26. News: Armagh 3–17 Donegal 0–16: Orchard players took initiative to push up Patton's kick-outs — Donaghy. BBC Sport. 12 June 2022. 12 June 2022.
  27. News: Pauric. McShea. Pauric McShea. Where to now for Donegal? Donegal's 1974 Ulster winning captain Pauric McShea, in his weekly Donegal Post column, looks back on what ultimately was a disappointing year for the county seniors. Donegal Post. 21 June 2022. 21 June 2022.
  28. News: Bonner completes backroom team with new goalkeeping coach. 10 November 2017. 10 November 2017.
  29. 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..
  30. News: Ryan. Ferry. Campbell joins Donegal senior coaching team. Donegal News. 25 November 2021. 88.
  31. News: Stephen Rochford joins Donegal backroom team after Karl Lacey's departure. BBC Sport. 19 October 2018. 19 October 2018. Rochford replaces Karl Lacey, who recently stepped away from the Donegal set up citing family reasons..
  32. News: Karl Lacey leaves Declan Bonner's Donegal management team for family and work reasons. BBC Sport. 4 January 2021. 4 January 2021.
  33. 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..
  34. News: Bonner makes additions to Donegal backroom team. Donegal News. 7 January 2021. 7 January 2021.
  35. 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..
  36. 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.. 21 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201121102721/https://donegalnews.com/2020/11/morrison-determined-to-make-swift-return-2/. dead.
  37. News: Chris. McNulty. It's all in the mind for Anthony McGrath. Donegal News. 1 August 2014. 1 August 2014. 31 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171031153738/http://donegalnews.com/2014/08/its-all-in-the-mind-for-anthony-mcgrath/. dead.
  38. News: Declan. Bonner. Declan Bonner. A New Year but old worries unfortunately still an issue. Donegal News. 23 December 2021. 63. We have new faces on the management team in Paddy Campbell, Mattie Brady on S&C, as well as Dr Ciarán Kearney..
  39. News: Frank. Craig. MacNiallais blow for Donegal. Donegal News. 23 December 2021. 64. Ex county star Paddy Campbell has joined the coaching set-up alongside Bonner and Stephen Rochford while Tyrone native Mattie Brady, who is from Dungannnon, is the county's new full-time strength and conditioning coach. Dr Ciarán Kearney — who has worked very closely with Paddy Tally in the past — has also come on board. Dr Kearney's chief role, according to one player that[sic] previously worked under him, is one of 'building a culture around a team'..
  40. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 31 January 2022. 31 January 2022.
  41. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022.
  42. News: Donegal stars recognised for Kildare displays. Donegal News. 10 February 2022. 65. Three Donegal men were named in GAA.ie's football team of the week. Jason McGee unfortunately picked up an injury in the win over Kildare but he was superb up until that point. He was named at centre half-back while Ryan McHugh was included at number seven… Michael Langan was included in the best 15 for the second week-in-a-row..
  43. News: Chris. McNulty. Team of the Week selection for three Donegal players: The trio excelled in Donegal's five-point win over Kildare in Ballybofey. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022.
  44. News: Dáire. Bonnar. Three Donegal footballers make GAA.ie Team of the Week. 7 February 2022. 7 February 2022.
  45. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 28 February 2022. 28 February 2022.
  46. News: Jimmy Hyland voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week. 1 March 2022. 1 March 2022.
  47. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 28 March 2022. 28 March 2022.
  48. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 25 April 2022. 25 April 2022.
  49. News: Michael Murphy voted GAA.ie Footballer of the Week. 26 April 2022. 26 April 2022.
  50. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 9 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  51. News: GAA.ie Footballer of the Week nominees. 9 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  52. News: GAA.ie Football Team of the Week. 30 May 2022. 30 May 2022.
  53. News: Dáire. Bonnar. Peadar Mogan named in GAA.ie Team of the Week. 30 May 2022. 30 May 2022.
  54. News: Peadar Mogan selected for GAA Team of Week. Donegal News. 2 June 2022. 70. Peadar Mogan was named in the GAA.ie Team of the Week along with three Derry players following Sunday's Ulster final tussle. Declan Bonner's side might have missed out by 1–16 to 1–14, however, St Naul's star Mogan's three brilliant points meant he made this week's cut..
  55. News: Ryan. Ferry. Donegal Minors face Fermanagh. Donegal News. 3 March 2022. 59. This is Luke Barrett's third season as Donegal minor manager but it will be the first time he will oversee a full season [due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions disrupting league campaigns]… Donal Gallagher, Sean Martin, Conor McGinty, Karl Joseph Molloy, Cian McMenamin, Eoghan Kelly, and Ben Rafferty were all part of last year's minor squad who reached the provincial final. However, the rest of the squad have limited experience in a Donegal jersey and the pandemic hasn't helped their cause..

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