DONEGAL: key stats, key men, key facts ahead of the 2017 Ulster GAA Championship campaign
2017 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
RESULTS
L: Donegal 1-17 Kerry 2-17
W: Roscommon 2-9 Donegal 0-16
D: Donegal 2-5 Dublin 1-8
W: Cavan 0-11 Donegal 1-16
W: Donegal 0-12 Tyrone 0-6
D: Donegal 1-11 Monaghan 1-11
L: Mayo 1-12 Donegal 0-13
FINAL STANDINGS
P W D L F A SD Pts
Dublin (F) 7 4 3 0 6-109 4-72 43 11
Kerry (F) 7 3 2 2 6-103 7-87 13 8
Donegal 7 3 2 2 5-90 7-74 10 8
Monaghan 7 3 2 2 7-79 5-82 6 8
Mayo 7 4 0 3 3-90 4-90 -3 8
Tyrone 7 3 1 3 3-87 4-81 3 7
Cavan (R) 7 1 2 4 4-72 2-101 -23 4
Roscommon (R) 7 1 0 6 6-85 7-128 -46 0
LAST LEAGUE TEAM
Division One, MacHale Park, April 2: Mayo 1-12 Donegal 0-13
MA McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, E Doherty; E B Gallagher (0-1), K Lacey, F McGlynn (0-1); J McGee, M Murphy (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45); C Mulligan (0-3), M Carroll, C Thompson (0-2); J Brennan, H McFadden, M O’Reilly (0-1). Subs: E McHugh for McFadden (49), P McBrearty for Lacey (59), M McHugh for McGlynn (65), M McElhinney for McGrath (68), M Langan for J McGee (68).
2016 SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS
Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 2-12 Fermanagh 0-11
Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal 1-11 Monaghan 0-14
Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Donegal 0-17 Monaghan 2-10
Ulster SFC final: Tyrone 0-13 Donegal 0-11
All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round 4B: Donegal 0-21 Cork 1-15
All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Dublin 1-15 Donegal 1-10
LAST CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Dublin 1-15 Donegal 1-10
MA McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; A Thompson (0-1), K Lacey, F McGlynn; R Kavanagh, R McHugh (1-0); O Mac Niallais, M McElhinney, E McHugh; P McBrearty (0-3, 0-2 frees), M Murphy (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 45), M O’Reilly. Subs: K Gillespie for Mac Niallais (h-t), L McLoone for Kavanagh (42), C Toye for Thompson (47), M McHugh for E McGee (55), C Thompson for McElhinney (60), C McFadden for Lacey (71).
MANAGER AND KEY MAN
RORY GALLAGHER
Although he’s in his third Championship campaign as manager, this is the first year that Rory Gallagher will field a markedly different team from his predecessor Jim McGuinness.
Fears were expressed for Donegal after the retirement of more experienced players but Gallagher almost guided his new-look side to the Division One Final.
The bold policy of fielding the U21 team in the McKenna Cup paid off in the League and the U21 Championship and has given many youngsters valuable game-time ahead of the summer games.
PADDY MCBREARTY
The one-time teenage sensation will turn 24 this summer but he has long established himself in the Tir Chonaill team.
Michael Murphy obviously remains a massive player for Donegal, while Ryan McHugh’s pace and eye for goal are crucial to their counter-attacking, but McBrearty can be his team’s most lethal cutting edge.
His 11 points against Cork in Croke Park last year showcased his sensational scoring ability. The Kilcar clubman can be a consistent source of scores, the new leader of the Donegal attack.
LAST 10 SFC MEETINGS
2014 Ulster SFC semi-final (Clones): Donegal 3-16 Antrim 0-12
2011 Ulster SFC preliminary round: Donegal 1-10 Antrim 0-7
2009 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 0-12 Antrim 1-10
2004 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 1-15 Antrim 1-9
1998 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 1-11 Antrim 0-11
1997 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 2-12 Antrim 1-13
1994 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Antrim 1-9 Donegal 1-12
1993 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Donegal 0-12 Antrim 0-9
1974 Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal 5-9 Antrim 1-7
1969 Ulster SFC preliminary round: Antrim 2-10 Donegal 0-14
2017 Ulster SFC quarter-final, May 21, Ballybofey: Donegal v Antrim
