THERE HAS BEEN a raft of changes in managers for Donegal’s clubs with 22 new managers set to take to the sidelines this weekend for the start of the 2016 All-County Football League season.With that in mind, here’s a club-by-club and a who’s who guide to the clubs:
Ardara
A WINTER of change in Kentucky with Seamus Gallagher the new man in charge. Last year, Ardara were under John McConnell’s guidance with a backroom team of Damian Diver, Anthony Molloy and Pat Shovelin. Now, though, Gallagher calls the shots. A former player with Ardara and Kilcar he had a spell as Kilcar’s manager and was on the backroom team of PJ McGowan when he was Donegal manager in the 1990s.
Aodh Ruadh
PETER Gallagher and James O’Donnell have taken the reigns as joint managers at Fr Tierney Park. Gallagher had a previous stint as manager of the Ballyshannon club, having taken over for a term in 2007. A former Aodh Ruadh player, Gallagher was a selector to PJ McGowan when the Ballybofey man was at the helm in 2006. O’Donnell has played senior football with Aodh Ruadh in recent times.
Burt
THE managerial team of Ronan McLaughlin, Damian Dowds and Shaun Murphy will continue in 2016. Last season, Burt missed out on promotion to Division Two when they lost a play-off to Glenfin. John Gibbons was involved last year, but has vacated his position.
Buncrana
IN DECEMBER, Buncrana confirmed the appointment of Malin man Robert Farren to the hotset at The Scarvey. Farren has been involved on the backroom team of Declan Bonner with the Donegal minors in the last couple of seasons and is a part of the Under-21 backroom team this year. Farren aided Liam Bradley at Malin last year but has now taken his first senior management job.
Bundoran
AFTER the glory of winning the Donegal IFC in 2015 and reaching an Ulster final they lost to Loughinisland, Brian Gavigan stood aside as Bundoran manager. Gavigan was one season in charge. The new man at Gaelic Park is Willie Gormley, From Bunninadden in County Sligo, Gormley guided Tubbercurry to the Sligo Senior Championship title in 2014 and recently was at the helm of Sligo IT during the Sigerson Cup campaign.
Carndonagh
THIS will be the second year of Kieran Canny’s second stint as the Carndonagh manager. Canny won the Junior Championship with Carndonagh in 2008 and has also had a successful spell in charge of the Carndonagh ladies team.
Cloughaneely
JOHN Paul Gallagher continues as manager of Cloughaneely with the former player entering his second season as boss at Pairc Naomh Fionnan. Gallagher served an apprenticeship under Joe McGarvey before taking the reigns himself last year. Cloughaneely will play in the IFC in 2016 having been relegated by Killybegs in a SFC play-off last year.
Downings
IT’S as you were in Downings as Andy Connor takes charge once more. Connor came in to steady the ship last year after their relegation to Division 3 following a tough campaign in 2014 that saw them collect just one League point.
Dungloe
THIS will be Tony Boyle’s third year in-a-row to lead Dungloe. The 1992 All-Ireland winning forward had previously managed his home club, but returned in late 2013. Ronan Brennan will again provide the assistance to Boyle, whose side finished sixth in Division 1 last year and came third in their SFC group.
Four Masters
LAST year was a turbulent one at Four Masters and it culminated in relegation from Division 1 of the All-County League. Ex-Tyrone player Ciaran ‘Dinky’ McBride had been in charge, but he quit before the end of the campaign. Downings native Kevin ‘Cookie’ Gallagher – who has had success at Downings and Gaeil Fhánada as a manager – has been appointed in Donegal town.
Gaeil Fhánada
AFTER a disappointing loss to Naomh Colmcille in the Intermediate Championship semi-final replay, Michael O’Connor – a Kerry native who previously managed Letterkeny Gaels – remains in place as manager of the Portsalon residents,
Gaoth Dobhair
CONAL Sheridan will hope for a better term in 2016. Last year, Gaoth Dobhair were eliminated from the SFC at the group stage. Sheridan hails from Omagh and has had spells on backroom teams at senior-intercounty level with Fermanagh, Derry, Cavan and Tyrone. He was trainer of Fermanagh in 2004 when they reached the All-Ireland semi-final. Sheridan will be aided by Sean ‘Nancy Gallagher, a former Gaoth Dobhair player and manager.
Glenfin
GLENFIN survived the drop to Division 3 by way of a play-off win over Burt in November and Liam Ward continues as boss for 2016. The An Gaeltacht Lár side haven’t made an impact of late, but steadying the ship will be the aim for Ward and Pat Campbell, who returns as a selector.
Glenswilly
MICHAEL Canning is back for his second year as Glenswilly’s manager. Last year, he succeeded Gary McDaid, who was part of the Donegal senior football set up in 2015. Canning had been assistant manager to Gary McDaid when Glenswilly won the Donegal SFC in 2013 and again in 2014 when they reached the final, where they lost to St Eunan’s. Roles have flipped now with McDaid back on board to assist Canning.
Kilcar
THE appointment that everyone was talking about in December. Martin McHugh has finally taken on the job of Kilcar’s manager, taking over from Michael Molloy, who stepped down following a year in charge. As a player, McHugh won Dr Maguire in 1980, 1985, 1989 and 1993. He was player-manager in ’89. McHugh managed Cavan to the Ulster SFC title in 1997 and his Kilcar face a daunting SFC group that includes St Eunan’s, St Michael’s and Killybegs.
Killybegs
MARK Boyle has been given a second campaign as Killybegs manager. Boyle succeeded Shea Murrin last year. The former Killybegs player, who played in several county finals, including the 2013 decider, saw his team finish seventh in Division 2 in 2015 and they only survived in the SFC thanks to a play-off win over Cloughaneely.
Letterkenny Gaels
AFTER A solid campaign in Division 3 last year, Sean McBrearty will continue as manager at Letterkenny Gaels for 2016 and once more will have the assistance of John McDermott.
Malin
THE ‘Baker’ experiment didn’t work in 2015 with Liam Bradley calling it a day before the end of the season. The former Antrim manager looked to have been a big coup, but a heavy defeat by St Michael’s in the SFC quarter-finals burst the bubble. A joint ticket of Anthony Kelly, likely to be player-joint-manager, and Terence Colhoun has been appointed to guide the fortunes in 2016. Previously, Colhoun had three years in charge and guided Malin into Division 1 and in 2013 they reached the semi-finals of the Donegal SFC, only to lose out to Killybegs.
Milford
ON-THE-RISE Milford will be under the guidance of Danny O’Donnell, who makes his return to club management this year. The Naomh Muire clubman takes over from Sean Paul Barrett, who led the club to the Division 3 title in 2015. Barrett is now the Donegal minor manager. O’Donnell had a successful spell at his native Naomh Muire, guiding them to the Intermediate Football Championship title in 2013. Paul Grier will be the assistant manager.
Moville
SEAN O’Hare makes the step up to take over the men’s team at Carrick Field having had a successful stint as boss of the club’s minors. They won an Inishowen minor title in 2015. O’Hare is an Armagh man who wors at Moville Community College and he takes over from Gerard Faulkner.
Na Rossa
BARRY Doherty takes his first management job. He takes over in Dooey from Damian Devaney. Doherty played for the Kilcar seniors until 2014. He has a business in neighbouring Dungloe and his wife, Martine, is the principal of Meenagowan NS in Lettermacaward.
Naomh Bríd
SEAN Timoney has the reigns in Pairc Naomh Bríd this year. Gerard Gallagher was in charge last year alongside Dermot Langan. Timoney has been installed as manager and will be aided by Dougie Corbett, who was at Naomh Colmcille last year,
Naomh Colmcille
NAOMH Colmcille had a magical run to the Donegal IFC final in 2015, but their dreams were hammered in the final by deadly Bundoran. It was a season of promise at Pairc Colmcille, even if their lowly League position will have been a concern. Francie Martin is once again back in charge with this set to be his third campaign.
Naomh Columba
BRENDAN Doherty retained his post for 2016. A brother of John Joe Doherty, Brendan saw the Glencolmcille outfit finish fifth in Division 2 last year while they bowed out of the IFC at hands of Gaeil Fhánada in a quarter-final. Doherty returns for his second year as manager.
Naomh Conaill
MARTIN Regan done a slight u-turn in the winter. Regan guided Naomh Conaill to Dr Maguire last year, but said he wouldn’t be seeking another term. However, he’s back, alongside Martin Doherty on a joint ticket, with the county champions again for 2016. Doherty had a previous spell in charge at Davy Brennan Memorial Park when he was joint-manager alongside Stephen McKelvey in 2012.
Naomh Muire
THE former St Eunan’s manager Eamon O’Boyle was chosen to lead the way at The Banks in 2016. O’Boyle won Dr Maguire three times with St Eunan’s. He takes over as manager from Gary Boyle, who has taken on the role of assistant manager this year. Ballina native O’Boyle had one year, 2011, in charge of the Donegal senior ladies team.
Naomh Padraig, Lifford
TAM O’Neill is back at the helm at The Roughan. O’Neill guided the Lifford men to the Junior A final in 2005, when they lost out to St Mary’s Convoy. O’Neill has come back in to replace Dessie McFeely.
Naomh Padraig, Muff
AIDAN McAleer is back for another go as manager in Iskaheen. The Tyrone man is a schoolteacher in Buncrana. He takes over from Michael McMenamin. McAleer led Naomh Padraig to a Junior A final in 2010 and won promotion to Division 3 in 2011.
Naomh Ultan
BRENDAN McGready is the longest serving club manager in Donegal football. 2016 represents his fourth year at the helm in Dunkineely.
Pettigo
DAMIEN Carr is the man steering things at Pettigo in 2016. Carr takes over from where Tommy Moss, manager last year, left off.
Red Hughs
SEOSAMH Mac Ceallabhuí is dipping his toes into club management waters for the first time in 2016. A former manager of the Donegal Vocational Schools team, the Naomh Conaill clubman takes over from Donal Reid, who managed Red Hughs for the latter part of 2015 following the departure of Stephen Friel.
Robert Emmets
Robert Emmets had a difficult season in 2015 with just one win in Division 4 and only Pettigo were beneath them at the campaign’s close. However, they were quick to appoint John Penrose as their new manager for 2016. The Aghyaran native, whose son Martin was an All-Ireland-winning forward with Tyrone, has previous in Donegal having managed Red Hughs from 2007-’09. Only a play-off defeat to Carndonagh denied Penrose promotion with Red Hughs from Division 4 and he joins Robert Emmets from Tyrone outfit Gortin.
Sean MacCumhaills
AFTER three years in the hotseat, Brendan Dunleavy made way at the end of the 2015 season and Damian Devaney is the new man at the helm. Devaney was born in Monaghan, but has been living in Stranorlar for the best part of the last two decades. In 2015, Devaney managed the Na Rossa seniors, having been heavily involved with MacCumhaills at underage level previously and has represented the club as a player.
St Eunan’s
MAXI Curran called it a day after his St Eunan’s lost to Naomh Conaill in the Donegal SFC final last year. David McGinley has stepped into the breach at the 14-times county champions. McGinley played in six winning county finals for the black and amber – in 1997, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012.
St Michael’s
EDDIE Harkin is again the man calling the shots at The Bridge, while Declan Bonner is on his backroom team having got on board at the tail end of the 2015 season. Harkin is in his third year of what is his second stint as manager of the Creeslough-Dunfanaghy side, who won their first All-County League Division One title last year and were beaten by St Eunan’s in a SFC semi-final.
St Mary’s, Convoy
OLIVER Prunty had been the longest serving manager last year but, after four years in charge, he moved aside at the end of 2015. Hugh Harkin was assistant manager to Prunty and he moves up to take the lead role this time around.
St Naul’s
DONIE McCole took over at St Naul’s from Andrew Gallagher for 2015 and McCole dons the Bainisteoir bib once more this year. McCole was a member of the All-Ireland-winning Donegal Under-21 squad of 1982 and will aim to blood a number of promising youngsters to the senior side at Gerard Gallagher Memorial Park.
Termon
HAVING had unbridled success with the Termon senior ladies team, Francie Friel will take charge of the Termon men in 2016. Termon are back in Division One of the All-County League this year. Pauric Hilferty, Paddy McMenamin, Hugh Harkin, Paul McIntyre and Michael Boyle will be Friel’s backroom team. Friel has previously been Termon’s team trainer.
Urris
MARK Gilmore has the reigns for his second season at Crampsie Park. Gilmore had been part of the backroom team of Danny Kelly when Urris won the 2014 Donegal JFC.
Tags: