OVER THE COURSE of the last six championship seasons, the number of players used by Donegal is less than any other team in the county.
A study conducted by Rob Carroll of Gaelic Stats shows that only 41 players have worn the green and gold since 2010, a figure in start contrast to neighbours Derry, who have lined out with 70 players in that time.
The Oak Leaf County’s total is second highest overall from the 33 counties that participate in the All-Ireland SFC by London’s 83.
An interesting facet of the study shows that in terms of players used, Kerry have used the second lowest total (43) followed by Dublin (45). Since 2011, Dublin (2011, 2013 and 2015), Kerry (2014) and Donegal (2012) are the only counties to have won Sam Maguire.
That trio are – barring Mayo in 2012 and 2013 – the only counties to have even played in the final in that timeframe and the five-in-a-row Connacht champions have played just 51 players, which is the seventh lowest in the country.
Since 2010, Donegal have played 32 championship games – two under John Joe Doherty in 2010, 24 when Jim McGuinness was in charge from 2011 to 2014 and six in 2015 under current manager Rory Gallagher.
Only two players – Neil McGee and Paul Durcan – have started all of those 32 games, while Paddy McGrath, who was a sub on his championship debut in 2010 against Down has started the next 31 times.
Perhaps an indicator of the experience in the Donegal panel is the fact that four players – Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden, Frank McGlynn and Anthony Thompson – have played 31 of the 32 games since 2010.
Patrick McBrearty (30 appearances) has been an ever-present since making his debut in 2011 with Martin McElhinney starting just eight times but still reaching the 30-mark having come off the bench on 22 occasions.
This Saturday, Donegal manager Gallagher will feature a number of new faces when his side take on Derry in a challenge match at Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny.
For the full statistics on Donegal and all the counties please see gaelicstats.com
Gaelic Stats is Ireland’s premier Sports Data company. Collecting, Analysing and most importantly Visualising data so it can be better understood by coaches players or fans. There are many stereotypes and perceptions of Gaelic football but none of them have been proven or dis-proven in a factual way.
