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Donegal GAA thread

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A good weekend of football surely. St Michaels had it fairly comfortable against MacCumhaills.

I managed to get to the Kilcar Gaoth Dobhair game. After a strong Kilcar start, Gaoth Dobhair eventually got to grips with them, and probably should have won a bit more comfortably than they did in the end. McBrearty's late goal briefly made the result uncertain, but the impressive Micheal Roarty landed a great two pointer to seal the deal.

The Four Masters result was very eye catching. I did think Dungloe might have had too much power for them. But the Four Masters lads fairly kicked for home and the ten point margin was certainly significant.

Termon. My God they must be gutted. They gave it everything but just couldn't kill Naomh Conaill off. You have to hand it to the Naomh Conaill lads, they just don't know when they're beaten. Big lessons for Termon this year. Between yesterday and the Gaeltacht final, they let sizable leads slip. But all credit to them, they have come on in leaps and bounds, and they'll be using the hurt sustained this year to drive them on in 2026 I'm sure.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10109 - 22/09/2025 10:49:51    2637024

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I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade and it's brilliant that we might see Four Masters in a senior championship final. But when you look at junior football it's a shambles. I know it's not sexy to look at problems at this stage of championship with the semi finalists flying. But if you take my club we were hammered twice in championship in our last week of football for 2025. One game was 3.18 to 0.03 and our last game was 5.25 to 0.02. How do we ask boys to be enthusiastic for 2026 when this happens them.

I know some people will say that's your issue, your obviously not doing things right and it can't be argued that in some respects that might be true and we haven't always done the right things since 2017 when we won Ulster. But we have young lads who are coming through but in the uncompetitive structures the county currently has at league and Championship we will not hold these lads if we are constantly getting hammered like we have been.

It's not just us there are other clubs who are in a similar situation and at some stage one of us will go to the wall all because we are a small club.

It's tough as a small club just keep that in mind when the bright championship light are flashing over the next few weeks.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 22/09/2025 13:43:37    2637055

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade and it's brilliant that we might see Four Masters in a senior championship final. But when you look at junior football it's a shambles. I know it's not sexy to look at problems at this stage of championship with the semi finalists flying. But if you take my club we were hammered twice in championship in our last week of football for 2025. One game was 3.18 to 0.03 and our last game was 5.25 to 0.02. How do we ask boys to be enthusiastic for 2026 when this happens them.

I know some people will say that's your issue, your obviously not doing things right and it can't be argued that in some respects that might be true and we haven't always done the right things since 2017 when we won Ulster. But we have young lads who are coming through but in the uncompetitive structures the county currently has at league and Championship we will not hold these lads if we are constantly getting hammered like we have been.

It's not just us there are other clubs who are in a similar situation and at some stage one of us will go to the wall all because we are a small club.

It's tough as a small club just keep that in mind when the bright championship light are flashing over the next few weeks."
Do you think it's time to go down the Kerry route where they have two tiers of junior championship in Junior and Junior Premier?

Based on this years results it might include the likes of yourselves, Urris, Robert Emmets, Pettigo and Lifford. It may give these teams a competitive outlet and and actual championship title to strive to rather than the weekly hammerings you've alluded to.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1375 - 22/09/2025 13:57:17    2637059

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Do you think it's time to go down the Kerry route where they have two tiers of junior championship in Junior and Junior Premier?

Based on this years results it might include the likes of yourselves, Urris, Robert Emmets, Pettigo and Lifford. It may give these teams a competitive outlet and and actual championship title to strive to rather than the weekly hammerings you've alluded to."
Something like that is an option and possibly four divisions in the league for senior teams so as clubs like us and the other clubs mentioned would be competitive. Otherwise I can't see us or a few others existing at senior level in five years time.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 22/09/2025 15:18:03    2637079

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "Something like that is an option and possibly four divisions in the league for senior teams so as clubs like us and the other clubs mentioned would be competitive. Otherwise I can't see us or a few others existing at senior level in five years time."
The current structure of the leagues is a big problem, divisions are too big. Too many teams have nothing to play for in the league. The reality now for many clubs, is the league is basically a 5 month pre-season ahead of a championship that lasts less than 2 months for a lot of clubs. Smaller divisions of 8 teams, play each other home and away, would give more competitive games and something for teams to fight for.

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 751 - 22/09/2025 16:31:23    2637099

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Replying To greenfan:  "The current structure of the leagues is a big problem, divisions are too big. Too many teams have nothing to play for in the league. The reality now for many clubs, is the league is basically a 5 month pre-season ahead of a championship that lasts less than 2 months for a lot of clubs. Smaller divisions of 8 teams, play each other home and away, would give more competitive games and something for teams to fight for."
Five divisions is a good idea and as previously suggested two junior championships would give clubs competitive football for the whole season. Now do you think the geniuses running the CCC or county board will see that? We can only hope.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 22/09/2025 20:42:34    2637122

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Why not amalgamate a few of the junior clubs to make a senior team to compete in senior championship. Would make for a better championship and players that play in a lower division get the chance to play senior football.
Have the same as Kerry
At the moment we are suffering because the league is like glorified friendlies. No way competitive.
The senior championship is cramped in to tight a schedule.
It's time to learn from the very best county's, Kerry.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 736 - 22/09/2025 22:16:48    2637132

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In regards to the juniors clubs discussed above. What's the population like there in them clubs? Have players moved away? Transferred ?

Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 119 - 23/09/2025 07:51:20    2637143

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Replying To The keeper:  "Why not amalgamate a few of the junior clubs to make a senior team to compete in senior championship. Would make for a better championship and players that play in a lower division get the chance to play senior football.
Have the same as Kerry
At the moment we are suffering because the league is like glorified friendlies. No way competitive.
The senior championship is cramped in to tight a schedule.
It's time to learn from the very best county's, Kerry."
That was as tried before late 90s early 00s as far as I remember but didn't really get buy in.
Players want you play for their own club and they are happy for that to be at div 5 so long as they have a chance of being competitive. We won a div 4 U16 championship last night so that gives us hope but those young lads need a chance to progress into adult football rather than getting hammered in their first season out of underage.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 23/09/2025 08:44:31    2637147

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Replying To Whyme923:  "In regards to the juniors clubs discussed above. What's the population like there in them clubs? Have players moved away? Transferred ?"
That's a good question. The county board has promised a demographics report for a long time now but nothing has appeared. Big town clubs will keep on getting bigger and the small rural parish will struggle.

The county board should give us the figures so as clubs can make plans based on facts.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 23/09/2025 08:47:48    2637149

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "That's a good question. The county board has promised a demographics report for a long time now but nothing has appeared. Big town clubs will keep on getting bigger and the small rural parish will struggle.

The county board should give us the figures so as clubs can make plans based on facts."
Being honest the co board don't really care about the small clubs, they do when theres levies and other bills to be collected. Small rural clubs are struggling to keep there clubs afloat. I guarantee you in the next few years some of them clubs will no longer exist. All the young people are in Australia or overseas. From talking to different club people they are worried about their own clubs future.. sad really but the day of the small rural club existing is coming to an end..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2671 - 23/09/2025 11:42:03    2637175

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Being honest the co board don't really care about the small clubs, they do when theres levies and other bills to be collected. Small rural clubs are struggling to keep there clubs afloat. I guarantee you in the next few years some of them clubs will no longer exist. All the young people are in Australia or overseas. From talking to different club people they are worried about their own clubs future.. sad really but the day of the small rural club existing is coming to an end.."
Sadly agree. There's no plan for smaller clubs with two-digit memberships whilst the organisation marches towards professionalism. Most sensible approaches would require constant reevaluation as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. There's no appetite to take on this body of work, and unless somebody up the chain from club chairperson assumes responsibility for sustainability of small clubs they will disband.

Geographically speaking, many mini-clubs are located on county borders or remote coastal regions, and this mainly holds true for all counties on west coast. A potential solution is the creation of a fourth tier competition that would not be strictly built on county boundaries. This could look like a south Donegal / North Fermanagh / West Tyrone 4th tier Championship meaning Naomh Ultan and Pettigo would not travel 2 hours to be beaten by 30 points by another Junior team, instead being matched up with similar strengthed teams across the border. Logistical nightmare maybe, but it may be preferable to amalgamations in many instances.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 515 - 23/09/2025 12:57:44    2637180

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Replying To SurelyToGod:  "Sadly agree. There's no plan for smaller clubs with two-digit memberships whilst the organisation marches towards professionalism. Most sensible approaches would require constant reevaluation as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. There's no appetite to take on this body of work, and unless somebody up the chain from club chairperson assumes responsibility for sustainability of small clubs they will disband.

Geographically speaking, many mini-clubs are located on county borders or remote coastal regions, and this mainly holds true for all counties on west coast. A potential solution is the creation of a fourth tier competition that would not be strictly built on county boundaries. This could look like a south Donegal / North Fermanagh / West Tyrone 4th tier Championship meaning Naomh Ultan and Pettigo would not travel 2 hours to be beaten by 30 points by another Junior team, instead being matched up with similar strengthed teams across the border. Logistical nightmare maybe, but it may be preferable to amalgamations in many instances."
Perhaps if Naomh Ultan didn't lose existing players to bigger clubs......

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10109 - 23/09/2025 13:41:05    2637184

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "That was as tried before late 90s early 00s as far as I remember but didn't really get buy in.
Players want you play for their own club and they are happy for that to be at div 5 so long as they have a chance of being competitive. We won a div 4 U16 championship last night so that gives us hope but those young lads need a chance to progress into adult football rather than getting hammered in their first season out of underage."
It might have been tried previously, however it was half hearted.
It's the obvious answer, and it gives players an opportunity to play at the top level.
It would add to the senior championship.
Which hopefully in turn will help find players for Donegal that would be otherwise overlooked.
I can't think of any negatives.
Like in Kerry, they still can have their own junior competition.
To afraid to think outside the box and try something new, what have these sides got to lose, it's a win win.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 736 - 23/09/2025 15:36:21    2637204

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade and it's brilliant that we might see Four Masters in a senior championship final. But when you look at junior football it's a shambles. I know it's not sexy to look at problems at this stage of championship with the semi finalists flying. But if you take my club we were hammered twice in championship in our last week of football for 2025. One game was 3.18 to 0.03 and our last game was 5.25 to 0.02. How do we ask boys to be enthusiastic for 2026 when this happens them.

I know some people will say that's your issue, your obviously not doing things right and it can't be argued that in some respects that might be true and we haven't always done the right things since 2017 when we won Ulster. But we have young lads who are coming through but in the uncompetitive structures the county currently has at league and Championship we will not hold these lads if we are constantly getting hammered like we have been.

It's not just us there are other clubs who are in a similar situation and at some stage one of us will go to the wall all because we are a small club.

It's tough as a small club just keep that in mind when the bright championship light are flashing over the next few weeks."
What is a small club.Is it population,interest tradition,success or what.Your own club has a huge population to pick from viz Newton,Killea,St Johnstone,Carrigans and I presume the Parish of Drumoghill i.e Manor as well.As you say you won Ulster Ulster in 2017 which means talent comes in cycles.But looking in from the outside I would say your biggest problem is lack of tradition and a big number of soccer clubs.People talk about the system they have in Kerry but Kerrys biggest thing is the tradition and interest they have.In an area like yours or Lifford it would take a lot of work from a lot of dedicated people to change things.Big Senior clubs like Kilcar and Naomh Connaill would have far less of a population than some of the "mini clubs".

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1208 - 23/09/2025 16:54:24    2637211

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I was thinking there, you miss the show Charlie Collins had weekly with the championship, I know DL debate is on a Monday evening but Charlie had a good one.

I managed to catch the tail end of the reserve game in O Donnell park Sunday. It was some finish, Termon penalty saved by the keeper! They had another chance with a high ball in and the keeper got down and saved it on to the post, it was like the goal Paddy got the night before v Gweedore seniors! I noticed Eamonn McGee still playing for the reserves, fair play to him.

Weekend ahead- Good few games between semi finals and relegation's. St.Michaels and Gweedore both beaten semi finalists last year so 1 of them will make it this year! I still can't call it!!
Looking back at Glenties year and how they've managed to claw back wins it's a credit to them but I THINK can see Four Masters just shading this one!

Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 119 - 24/09/2025 13:37:53    2637303

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Replying To Whyme923:  "I was thinking there, you miss the show Charlie Collins had weekly with the championship, I know DL debate is on a Monday evening but Charlie had a good one.

I managed to catch the tail end of the reserve game in O Donnell park Sunday. It was some finish, Termon penalty saved by the keeper! They had another chance with a high ball in and the keeper got down and saved it on to the post, it was like the goal Paddy got the night before v Gweedore seniors! I noticed Eamonn McGee still playing for the reserves, fair play to him.

Weekend ahead- Good few games between semi finals and relegation's. St.Michaels and Gweedore both beaten semi finalists last year so 1 of them will make it this year! I still can't call it!!
Looking back at Glenties year and how they've managed to claw back wins it's a credit to them but I THINK can see Four Masters just shading this one!"
FM celebrations after their league win over Glenties during the summer was somewhat over the top I'm told. I'm sure the Glenties boys will have been storing that since.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1375 - 24/09/2025 13:53:06    2637305

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Replying To Whyme923:  "I was thinking there, you miss the show Charlie Collins had weekly with the championship, I know DL debate is on a Monday evening but Charlie had a good one.

I managed to catch the tail end of the reserve game in O Donnell park Sunday. It was some finish, Termon penalty saved by the keeper! They had another chance with a high ball in and the keeper got down and saved it on to the post, it was like the goal Paddy got the night before v Gweedore seniors! I noticed Eamonn McGee still playing for the reserves, fair play to him.

Weekend ahead- Good few games between semi finals and relegation's. St.Michaels and Gweedore both beaten semi finalists last year so 1 of them will make it this year! I still can't call it!!
Looking back at Glenties year and how they've managed to claw back wins it's a credit to them but I THINK can see Four Masters just shading this one!"
Hard to call Gaoth Dobhair v Naomh Micheal for sure. Leaning 60/40 in favour of G.D, but certainly the toughest challenge for them yet. Serious firepower in that Michael's team, and could have won championship last year. Langan the kind of player that gives any team he plays in a chance at club level. Gaoth Dobhair by 3.

Four Masters v Naomh Conaill tighter. Naomh Conaill have failed to convince this year, but still they're in a semi-final now. Four Masters should be fresher after a convincing win against Dungloe. Their men didn't need to leave 2nd gear as the midfield and defence completely dominated every Dungloe attack, whereas Naomh Conaill have had to dig deep a few weeks in a row to survive. Four Masters win AET.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 515 - 24/09/2025 14:06:21    2637308

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Replying To gunman:  "What is a small club.Is it population,interest tradition,success or what.Your own club has a huge population to pick from viz Newton,Killea,St Johnstone,Carrigans and I presume the Parish of Drumoghill i.e Manor as well.As you say you won Ulster Ulster in 2017 which means talent comes in cycles.But looking in from the outside I would say your biggest problem is lack of tradition and a big number of soccer clubs.People talk about the system they have in Kerry but Kerrys biggest thing is the tradition and interest they have.In an area like yours or Lifford it would take a lot of work from a lot of dedicated people to change things.Big Senior clubs like Kilcar and Naomh Connaill would have far less of a population than some of the "mini clubs"."
Your right in nearly everything you says d tradition is not there for the border clubs and soccer is a major issue in our parish and in some of the other weaker clubs. It would take a massive effort to lift our club to intermediate level and to compete there. However when there are issues for clubs like ours we need from the people running our games not to be told well you have a problem sort it out yourselves.

Kilcar have a great tradition and fair play to them but population size is catching up with them just like so many other small areas. Revisit this discussion in 5 to 10 years and see how many of the lower level class bs that are still in existence.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 70 - 25/09/2025 00:22:02    2637359

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "Your right in nearly everything you says d tradition is not there for the border clubs and soccer is a major issue in our parish and in some of the other weaker clubs. It would take a massive effort to lift our club to intermediate level and to compete there. However when there are issues for clubs like ours we need from the people running our games not to be told well you have a problem sort it out yourselves.

Kilcar have a great tradition and fair play to them but population size is catching up with them just like so many other small areas. Revisit this discussion in 5 to 10 years and see how many of the lower level class bs that are still in existence."
I think it's a more fundamental national issue rather than a GAA one. Rural decline has been steady over the last few generations. The obvious answer is to ensure that our young people can get good well-paid jobs and build homes for themselves to settle down and eventually start families of their own.

But taking nurses as an example. Now thankfully I've not needed hospital treatment for anything too serious, and hopefully that will continue. But you only have to visit somone in hospital to quickly realise that nurses and carers really are the best of people. They're really excellent at their jobs in what must be very stressful situations at times. I don't think it's over the top to say that they don't get paid anything near what they deserve.

I know a good few who have emigrated to Australia in the hope that they'd get paid better there, save enough for a mortgage, and then come home eventually to settle here. But while there, they realise that the grass is actually greener and a lot end up staying down under indefinitely. It's a similar situation with some teachers I know, who went to the UAE with the same intentions, but they're still there 5 plus years later and no thoughts of coming home any time soon.

Now I know there will always be that wanderlust. Young people will still want to go off and see a bit of the world. But we don't exactly encourage them to stay put either. I think there needs to be way more thought put into revitalising Ireland west of the Shannon. Big companies like Abbott in Donegal town, Optum in Letterkenny etc have shown that it can be successfully done. Why not more? Maybe look to expand Knock airport so that it could handle trans-Atlantic flights? Could be a game-changer.

Anyways wild bit of a rant for a Thursday morning, no easy fix to it unfortunately. Don't think it's fair to lay it all on the GAA I guess is the point I'm trying to make.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10109 - 25/09/2025 09:45:18    2637372

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