Gaoth Dobhair made a major statement as they ended 12 years of pain to claim the Donegal title with an impressive display against Naomh Conaill. Gerry McLaughlin names his 15 outstanding performers from the Tir Chonaill series
1 Shaun Patton (St Eunan's)
HAS been a revelation for both county and club since Declan Bonner gave him his big break last spring.
His kick-outs are ‘Cluxtonesque’ and his positional sense and shot-stopping ability have improved dramatically.
2 Christopher McFadden (Gaoth Dobhair)
THIRTY-TWO years old but looks 10 years younger and has three county medals along with the McGee brothers – Eamon and Neil. He is probably the finest man marker in the county and certainly nullified Bundoran dangerman Jamie Brennan in the county quarter-final. He also has great pace and positional sense.
3 Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
IT'S hard to look past Donegal’s own version of Cork hurler Diarmuid ‘The Rock’ O’Sullivan.
The man from ’Dore has three Allstars and is hewn from pure Errigal granite.
A big part of the Gaoth Dobhair success story this year. He usually plays at wing-back but is also a great sweeper.
4 Marty Boyle (Naomh Conaill)
MARTY has three county medals, is super fit and can man-mark as well as sweep with the best.
He was a major part again in helping Glenties get to a county final and was a bit unlucky to be sent off in that county final.
5 Eamon McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
SOME would say he was a bit lucky not be lined following that same incident involving the above mentioned Boyle. Alternated between attack and defence to brilliant effect and was the real orchestrator of this well-oiled Gaoth Dobhair machine. He is playing the best football of his career.
6 Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
IT is significant that he was out-of-sorts in the county final, for a fully functioning Thompson would have made it much more difficult for Gaoth Dobhair in that final. Along with Leo McLoone, he was the heartbeat of Na Gleannta in this year’s championship campaign.
7 Odhran McFadden-Ferry (Gaoth Dobhair)
ONE of the most improved footballers in the county and vital to Gaoth Dobhair’s success. An athletic performer who plays on the edge, he targeted Leo McLoone for a great battle in the county final. He can play it any way you want and is county material.
8 Odhran Mac Niallais (Gaoth Dobhair)
BY a country mile, the most outstanding player in this year’s county championship. He had a brilliant campaign at midfield for Gaoth Dobhair. His athleticism, vision and deadly accuracy will mean he will be a marked man in Ulster.
But this has been his best season so far.
9 Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
YOU have to put him somewhere as he was the oil in the engine of the Glenswilly side that reached the county semi-final. His fielding, vision and finishing are still as essential to the Glen as they are to the county. And Donegal’s greatest ever player does not do “off days”.
10 Cian Mulligan (Gaoth Dobhair)
A POCKET rocket with magic in both boots. Mulligan’s blistering pace and power can unhinge most defences and he can finish with aplomb. Apart from being a good man to kick a point, he showed his goalscoring ability for the county.
And why he did not feature for Donegal in the latter stages of the All-Ireland series is a mystery to rival the third secret Of Fatima.
11 Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill)
LEO the lion-hearted has been the beating heart of Glenties for quite a few years. Strong on the ball and in the tackle, he also has the ability to pop up for some crucial scores. Gaoth Dobhair rightly identified him as a major threat and gave him particular attention.
But his quality and raw physical strength means he is used to it and can deal with all eventualities.
12 Matthew McClean (Kilcar)
IN the unfortunate absence of Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh, someone had to step up and take responsibility for the weakened men from in and around Towney. And the stocky, pacey and deadly accurate young McClean did just that when it mattered. He kicked two magnificent points against Glenties in the quarter-finals and was Kilcar’s greatest single scoring threat.
13 Kieran Gallagher (Naomh Conaill)
MANY will say he should be full-forward, but you could not leave him out as an attacker after an outstanding season.
Tall and athletic, he has a great leap for possession, has pace and was not afraid to take on defenders in a fine season for his club.
14 Kevin Cassidy (Gaoth Dobhair)
THE reason that Kieran Gallagher is located at corner-forward. For Gaoth Dobhair’s very own Peter Pan is at the top of his game and is a very lively 36. The double Allstar is a great target man for this young team and his vastly improved fitness levels have made him a difficult opponent and so vital to the side.
15 Oisin Gallen (Sean MacCumhaill's)
ONE of the county’s most gifted and elegant strikers of a ball. The young star really came of age this year and showed he can cut it with the best. Swift and sure, he has a great finish and nose for a score.
He was a significant factor in his club’s success story this year in going back to Division One and reaching the county semi-final.
