The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2014 season.
The 2014 Donegal county football team season was the franchise's 110th season since the County Board's foundation in 1905. The team entered the season looking to improve on their poor 2013 run and return to prominence for the first time since winning Sam Maguire MMXII.
Jim McGuinness returned for his fourth season as the team's manager. Pioneer of the game's revolutionary tactic The System, he entered the season with two Ulster titles (2011, 2012), and added a third this season, before becoming the first manager in team history to lead his team to two All-Ireland Finals.
Personnel changes Manager Jim McGuinness installed a new backroom team, consisting of Damian Diver, Paul McGonigle and John Duffy.
Ryan Bradley and Ross Wherity both emigrated after the 2013 season.
Ciaran Bonner and Leon Thompson returned to the panel for the first time since 2009. Christy Toye returned after missing the 2013 season due to illness. Returning also were Tommy McKinley (Naomh Colmcille) and Antoin McFadden — both excluded in the early part of the 2013 season after featuring as part of the 2012 panel. Conor Classon returned to the panel as well.
Hugh McFadden joined the panel after manager McGuinness noticed him during the 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship. Also joining were Stephen McLaughlin (Malin) and Darach O'Connor.
Panel
Competitions Dr McKenna Cup
National Football League Division 2
Donegal won promotion from Division 2.
2014 Division 2 table TeamPldWDLFADiffPtsNotes Donegal7 5 1 1 9-97 7-67 +36 11 Advanced to final and promoted to Division 1 for 2015 Monaghan7 5 1 1 3-107 3-78 +29 11 Meath 7 4 1 2 9-87 8-95 –5 9
Ulster Senior Football Championship
Donegal won the Ulster Championship for a third time in four seasons.
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Donegal reached the All-Ireland Final for the second time in three seasons.
Kit
Management team Manager: Jim McGuinness Selectors: Damian Diver, John Duffy, Paul McGonigle Goalkeeping coach: Pat Shovelin Strength and conditioning coach: Paul Fisher
Awards GAA.ie Football Team of the Week Included: 21 July: Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Patrick McBrearty
The Sunday Game Team of the Year The Sunday Game selected Paul Durcan, Neil McGee, Neil Gallagher, Ryan McHugh and Michael Murphy on its Team of the Year.
GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year Ryan McHugh won.
All Stars Donegal achieved four All Stars.
Pos.PlayerTeamAppearances GK Paul DurcanDonegal 2 RCB Paul Murphy Kerry 1 FB Neil McGeeDonegal 3 LCB Keith HigginsMayo3 RWB James McCarthyDublin 1 CB Peter CrowleyKerry 1 LWB Colm BoyleMayo 2 MD Neil GallagherDonegal 2 MD David MoranKerry 1 RWF Paul FlynnDublin 4 CF Michael MurphyDonegal 2 LWF Diarmuid ConnollyDublin 1 RCF Cillian O'ConnorMayo 1 FF Kieran DonaghyKerry 3 LCF James O'DonoghueFOTYKerry 2
County breakdown Kerry= 5 Donegal= 4 Dublin= 3 Mayo= 3
Notes A team managed by Declan Bonner, and including Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Jamie Brennan, John Campbell, Michael Carroll, Lorcan Connor, Ciaran Diver, Kieran Gillespie, Stephen McBrearty, Andrew McClean, Tony McClenaghan, Caolan McGonagle, Stephen McMenamin, Cian Mulligan and Ethan O'Donnell, advanced to the 2014 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final on 21 September.
References