Naomh Conaill

The Club Year - 2019

2019 will go down as a memorable year for Naomh Conaill, with the club winning a fourth Donegal SFC title and Ciaran Thompson was player of the championship and a worthy recipient of Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh The year will also be remembered for the long and hard work everyone has put in from the U6s right up to senior level and all involved with the club’s ladies teams. The club had success at senior level and Naomh Conaill was well represented at county level from senior, U20 to minor and in all development teams.

A last minute point from John O’Malley eventually took the Dr Maguire through Fintown to Glenties following a marathon sequence against reigning Donegal and Ulster SFC holders Gaoth Dobhair. Martin Regan’s team came through against the side from Magheragallon in the second replay on an 0-8 to 0-7 scoreline. Beforehand there had been two nail-biting draws, 0-8 to 0-8 initially and then a 1-11 to 0-14 second time out. There were three wins from three in the group stages, with successes over Dungloe at Rosses Park, either side of home victories against Killybegs and Sean MacCumhaill’s. At the time of writing, after defeating Cavan’s Castlerahan and Monaghan champions, Clontibret O’Neills, Naomh Conaill paly Down’s Kilcoo in the Ulster Final on December 1^st.

Wins in the quarter-finals over Glenfin and then St Eunan’s in the semi-final meant a third final in a row.  Following the disappointments against Kilcar in 2017 and then Gaoth Dobhair a year later, 2019 provided us with our opportunity to avenge that 0-17 to 1-7 defeat. There followed three brilliant games of football that had both sets of supporters and neutrals on the edge of their seats.  The commitment and courage shown by both sets of players will long live in the memory of those fortunate enough to have attended those games. A fantastic late point from O’Malley was enough to see us over the line and we were champions once again.

A strong league campaign meant the team finished in third place in Division 1 of the All-County Football League.

The league campaign was a successful one, winning most our games and performing consistently throughout. With the league drawing to a close our attention turned to the group stages of the championship. We opened with a tough draw against Killybegs followed with back-to-back wins against Sean McCumhaills and Dungloe, meaning we topped our group. We overcame Gaoth Dobhair in the quarter final and were paired against Kilcar in the semi-final, coming up just short after a very tough game. The u21s, managed by Johnny McLoone, reached the Division 1 County final but lost out to St Eunans.

U6’s This year was about teaching our future stars the fundamentals of the game. Large numbers availed of the great knowledge of the game and great strides have been made and great friendships forged.

U8’s This age group have made great progress and this year was no exception. Playing in a new league format they played some lovely football. Success was had in Ardara at the Thomas Maguire Tournament with the team bringing home some silverware.

u10’s Following on from 2018’s  successful year, this team played some great football. They were grouped in a very tough league they played out some great games.

U11’s. Our A and B teams teams competed in The Willie Rodgers Memorial Tournament in Ballyshannon. In a great display of teamwork, the A team came away with the top prize and the B team were narrowly defeated in their Cup Final.

U12’s After a slow start they quickly found their feet and registered some great victories in a very tough and competitive group. They qualified for the County Finals Day and silverware was taken home by both A and B teams.

U13’s After a tough start the team turned things around and quickly found their feet. The Regional Final was contested with Four Masters, but the result didn’t go our way. The team quickly regrouped and put in a great display and progressed to the semi-finals. Next up was Four Masters and in a very tight contest we just came up short and lost by a single score.

U14’s The Gaeltacht title was secured by victory against Glenswilly. An impressive League campaign followed and the team remained unbeaten. Divisional honours were secured and this was quickly followed by another trophy in the form of the County League. After a long tough season, they just came up short in the County semi-final.

U16’s Working with a small panel this was always going to be a tough season, but the team had two great victories in the Championship against Robert Emmets and Naomh Ultan. What could of been achieved with a fully fit panel to choose from?

Minors: A League play-off secured against Killybegs and a County League semi-final against Gaoth Dobhair has still to be played. A tightly contested Championship semi-final against Gaoth Dobhair was lost.

2019 Roll of Honour

Donegal senior county champions

U14 County Gaeltacht

U14 League and Divisional

U11 Willie Rodgers Memorial Cup