1. Paul Durcan
BIG ‘Papa’ was, for a stage, the closest goalkeeping rival that Stephen Cluxton had. He’d come into the side in 2004 but while he was largely first choice up until 2010, it was when Jim McGuinness took over that Durcan, like so many others, found a new level. His ability to drive a ball 80 yards was matched by the disguise that he could put on kicks, something no other goalkeeper has been able to replicate. And a brilliant shot-stopper too, making particularly memorable saves from Paul Flynn in 2014 and Martin Penrose two years earlier.
2. Paddy McGrath
THE Ardara man made his debut in 2010 and from his first start in the infamous qualifier defeat in Crossmaglen that summer, McGrath started every single game bar one up until this year’s Super 8s. It might not always be flashy – indeed he didn’t register an inter-county score until 2016 – but if you want a job doing, he’s the man to do it. Had great games against Cavan and Tyrone before a very good All-Ireland final in 2012. Still going strong as evidenced by his brilliant job on Dara McVeety this year. Squeezes out Raymond Sweeney.
3. Neil McGee
FROM stepping into the number three jersey in 2006, McGee instantly put his stamp on it. The broad shoulders and the no-nonsense approach have made him the first pick for every manager since. Won Allstars in 2011 and 2014, but also had a great All-Ireland winning year, producing a masterclass in the final alongside brother Eamonn in the full-back line. McGee started 52 consecutive games between 2006 and 2016, and his composure remains something that Declan Bonner will worry about replacing when the time comes.
4. Karl Lacey
WITH the unmistakable white boots, Lacey was an absolute Rolls Royce footballer. He played a bit on the wing but mostly in the corner, where he won great acclaim for his all-action style. That earned him Allstars in 2006 (when he was brilliant against Derry, Armagh and Cork) and 2009, when he returned from a short break in Australia to help Donegal to the last eight. Found a new level under McGuinness, winning back-to-back Allstars and the Footballer of the Year award in 2012. Quick and strong, he was a great man-marker with an eye for a score.
5. Ryan McHugh
HIS brother Mark had first blazed the trail left by their father Martin, but ever since he burst on to the stage by scoring 2-2 in the famous 2014 All-Ireland semi-final win over a Dublin side that was labelled unbeatable, it’s been all about Ryan McHugh. An electric wing-back, his pace is so blinding that he’s able to make light of the absence of your average inter-county playing stature. A brilliant taker of goals and points, the 2014 Young Footballer of the Year and two-time Allstar has turned it on in countless big games. In ahead of Anthony Thompson.
6. Frank McGlynn
WORE the Donegal jersey for 14 years and there was hardly a day among them that he didn’t wear it with absolute distinction. His debut came off the bench in ’06 and by the following summer, he’d established himself. Played a lot in the corner until McGuinness took over, after which he rotated between the wing and operating as a sweeper, which suited his intelligence. Had a promising soccer career as a youngster but the 2012 Allstar became one of the Donegal’s most loyal and brilliant soldiers. Squeezes out Damien Diver.
7. Kevin Cassidy
THE fact that Kevin Cassidy wasn’t on the 2012 All-Ireland winning team will endure as one of the great sporting injustices. Still powering on at full-forward for Gaoth Dobhair, he brought so much to his county for so long. Incredibly strong, great in the air and with a left foot capable of producing that winner against Kildare in 2011. Played a lot at midfield right up until 2010. Had a massive impact on their 2011 season and won his second Allstar, having picked up the first nine years previous.
8. Neil Gallagher
SQUEEZING into the team ahead of John Gildea, there would have been no All-Ireland in Donegal this century had it not been for what Neil Gallagher gave them at midfield. The Glenswilly man gave them a monstrous physical and aerial presence that was never better emphasises than in his man-of-the-match display against the team of man mountains, Cork, in the 2012 semi-final. Even known to drift to full-forward on occasion, where he could cause a bit of havoc, Gallagher played a very simple but brutally effective game. Gets in before John Gildea.
9. Rory Kavanagh
PRODUCED man-of-the-match displays against Down and Derry to help Donegal to the 2006 Ulster final, a spell that marked his introduction to the big time. From wing-forward he was a pivotal part of the team but when McGuinness took over, he saw Kavanagh as a midfield partner for Neil Gallagher. It required serious bulking up, including lifting weights daily and splitting his eating into seven meals per day, but it paid massive dividends. He became the ultimate box-to-box man and was instrumental right up until he retired after the 2014 final. In ahead of Jim McGuinness.
10. Christy Toye
WHAT a genius Christy Toye was with a football in his hands, but part of his allure too was the fact that he had so many oven-ready excuses to quit and he just kept coming back. From 2009 until 2013, he was injured for three of the five seasons, yet managed to have a huge hand in Donegal’s success coming off the bench. There was no better man to come into a game with 15 minutes to go. Had been a mainstay of the team at wing-forward earlier in his career. Always made the right decision on the ball, and knew how to time a late run for a goal.
11. Michael Murphy
THERE just aren’t words for the man. They talk in the GAA about a once-in-a-generation player but the like of Michael Murphy may never be seen in Donegal again. Destined for greatness from a young age, he won Young Footballer of the Year in 2009, but his humility has kept him and those around him grounded and driving on since. His stunning early goal in the 2012 All-Ireland final encapsulated so much of his skillset. There have always been cries to play him at full-forward but his ability to completely dictate games in a role around the middle is invaluable.
12. Michael Hegarty
THE orchestrator of so much for the Donegal attack, Hegarty retired a few months short of winning the All-Ireland medal that his career deserved. Operated in the number 11 shirt and brought the ultimate combination of passing and finishing ability to the role. Did win his Ulster medal in 2011 and was brilliant in the final against Derry. Was outstanding in the good runs in 2002 and 2003, and stood out during the barren years. Keeps Brian Roper and Odhran MacNiallais out of the team.
13. Colm McFadden
ALL-Ireland successes require a bit of luck, and for Donegal, the luck was that in Colm McFadden, they had a forward who found a new level and was able to carry them over the line. On such a counter-attacking team, there had to be a reliable source of scores and he gave them that under his brother-in-law Jim McGuinness. Despite being exclusively left-footed, his ability to kick points from anywhere inside the 45’ made him almost unmarkable. A brilliant goalscorer, as you’d see from his ice-cool finish in the 2012 decider.
14. Adrian Sweeney
A NATURAL finisher off his deadly left foot, Sweeney carried the scoring can for Donegal throughout almost the whole of his career. Broke through off the Ulster U21 winning team from 1995 and was well into his stride by the turn of the century, regularly delivering five, six, seven points a game. Scored five from play as he tormented Dublin’s full-back line the day they drew in 2002, and won an Allstar the following year for captaining the side to the last four. Held on to win a National League in 2007. Edges the tightest of calls over Brendan Devenney.
15. Patrick McBrearty
IT’S incredibly hard to believe that when Donegal won the All-Ireland in 1992, Patrick McBrearty hadn’t even been born, and yet he is a 26-year-old veteran of the current team. Drawn in by McGuinness as a 17-year-old in 2012, the Kilcar man played a great supporting role in the All-Ireland success, but has since grown into the leader of the attack. His 11-point haul against Cork in 2016 was his best day. Made his 100th appearance for the county in the Super 8s game with Meath this summer. There’s a lot more still to come.
