Player profiles, results and information from the 1985 county senior final programme.

MICHAEL MCFADDEN - Aged 25. Goalkeeper. Safe, dependable netminder, took over from John Hegarty in goals. Has played as a forward as well. Works in Fish Factory in Killybegs.

JOHN DOOGAN - Aged 23. Corner back. Missed the 1982 final because of injury. Safe corner back. Has played in forward line as well. Telecom Eireann employee.

DANNY GILLESPIE - Aged 33. Full back. Played in '80 and '82 finals. Has played with county seniors. Has U-21 and senior championship medals and six senior league medals. Teacher in Carrick Vocational School.

JOHN QUINN - Aged 35. Corner back. Also played in both '80 and '82 finals. Tough, uncompromising corner back. Came from Glenties. Marketing manager at Kilcarra Yarns.

JAMES MCHUGH - Aged 21. Team captain. Corner back or corner forward. Brother of Martin. Played U-21 with county this year. Corner forward in '82 final. Fast, elusive player.

JOHN CARR-Aged 29. Half back. Played in '80 final, missed '82 final because of injury. Playing very well this year. Designer with Connemara Fabrics in Kilcar.

MICHAEL CARR - Aged 30. Half back. Has played for Donegal on winning Ulster championship teams in 1974 as corner forward and in 1983 as wing half back when he won man of the match award. Shopkeeper.

NEILLY BYRNE aged 30. Half back. Playing his best football since coming from Glenties in 1982. Was at midfield in 1982 final. Scorer of goal in semi-final at Fintra.

JAMES CARR - Aged 23. Midfield. Had outstanding game in semi-final win over Aodh Ruadh. Must be on verge of county team selection. Plasterer.

MAURICE CARR - Aged 24. Midfield or half back, played in goals in 1980 final and half back in 1982 final. Was on All-Ireland winning u-21 panel. Builder. Vice-captain.

MARTIN MCHUGH - Aged 24. Half forward. Donegal's most outstanding footballer. Gained All- Star selection in 1983. Deadly from frees. Has won county championship, Ulster championship, Railway Cup and All-Ireland U-21 medals. Has sports shop in Killybegs.

SEAMUS GALLAGHER Aged 35. Half forward or half back. Won championship medal with Ardara in 1981 as half back. Returned to Kilcar in 1983. Seamus is team manager of the side. Building contractor.

DENIS MCBREARTY Aged 30. Corner back. Won three u-21 medals. Has played for county at u-21 level. Safe, dependable corner back.

SEAN MCGINLEY - Aged 38. Half back or forward. Captained Kilcar in 1980 final. Has won minor, junior and senior championship medals with Kilcar. One of Donegal's great-hearted, long serving players. Factory worker.

CHRISTY GILLESPIE - Aged 23. Forward. Missed most of last year through injury. Coming back to his best form now. Teacher in Letterkenny.

GERARD MCBREARTY - Aged 23. Has scored very important goals in this year's championship. Fast elusive player. Factory worker.

SEAMUS MCBREARTY - Aged 31. Half forward. Better known as "Super". Has been unable to get a regular place in the team. Fisherman.

AODH CANNON - Aged 31. Midfield or full forward. Has been plagued by injury over this last two years for Donegal. Civil Servant in Sligo. Has played

CHARLIE MCGROARTY - Aged 24. Half back. Tough, uncompromising player. Has been unable to command a regular place this year. Fisherman.

CHARLIE O'DONNELL - Aged 23. Played full forward in 1980 final. Can be brought in at midfield or forward line. Manager at Eadach Connemara, Kilcar

MICHAEL MOLLOY - Aged 22. Has been unable to get a regular place in team. Impressed in semi- final v Aodh Ruadh until injured. Butcher.

RODGER MCSHANE - Age 18. Starred for Co. Vocational team in All-Ireland successes at midfield. Sub on county minor team. Midfielder or half back. Student.

NEILLY CANNON - Aged 21. Half forward. Has been unable to regain his place since returning from injury in an u-21 game this year. Factory worker.

CORNELIUS DIVER - Aged 23. Corner back. Good displays for Intermediate team have brought him into senior panel. Factory worker.

GERARD SHOVELIN - Aged 23. Full back. Another player brought into senior panel after good displays at Intermediate level. Factory worker. 15

CILL CHARTHAIGH 1985

SHIELD SEMI-FINAL '84-'85

Cill Charthaigh 2-5, Aodh Ruadh 1-2

GAELTACHT SEMI-FINAL:

Cill Charthaigh 2-3, Ard na Ratha 1-5

FINAL:

Cill Charthaigh 1-0, Naomh Columba 0-6.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Cil Charthaigh 0-3, Ard na Ratha 0-7

Ard na Ratha 1-3, Cill Charthaigh 3-4

Cill Charthaigh 1-8, Ard na Ratha 1-6

Cill Charthaigh 1-11, Na Dunaibh 0-4

Cill Charthaigh 0-11, Aodh Ruadh 2-5

Cill Charthaigh 2-7, Aodh Ruadh 0-7

LEAGUE:

Cill Charthaigh 2-10, Cloughaneely 0-3

Cill Charthaigh 0-16, Ardara 0-6

Cill Charthaigh 1-6, Killybegs 4-6

Cill Charthaigh 0-10, Aodh Ruadh 0-6

Cill Charthaigh 2-7, Downings 0-7

Cill Charthaigh 2-10, Bundoran 0-7

Cill Charthaigh 1-7, Four Masters 1-3

KILCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SCORERS:

MARTIN MCHUGH 1-31

SEAN MCGINLEY 1-5

GERARD MCBREARTY 2-2

JAMES MCHUGH 1-2

NEILLY BYRNE 1-0

JOHN DOOGAN 1-0

CHRISTY GILLESPIE 0-2

MAURICE CARR 0-1

TOTAL 7-42

TODAY'S REFEREE

Today's referee, Sean McGee from Downings, is one of the most experienced officials in the county. This is his second county senior final, having previously officiated in 1975.

As well as having handled many other important games in the county in recent years, he has also experience of refereeing at inter-county level.

Aged 40 and a family man, he is actively involved in Downings G.A.A. club, being at present its P.R.O. His other interests include politics, rallying and snooker, which he also referees.

LINESMEN: J. DOLAN, Convoy. S. LAFFERTY, Castlefin.

UMPIRES: F. DOHERTY, St. Eunan's. E. QUINN, Red Hughs. K. McGLYNN, Glenfin. B. McGREADY, St. Nauls.

CHIEF STEWARD BRENDAN O'NEILL

Ulster Council Representative

VIDEO: PACKIE KEENEY

Commentator: FR. SEAN GALLAGHER.

PUBLIC ADDRESS: P.A. System: JOHN JOE O'SHEA

SNIPPETS: On the Kilcar team today are BROTHERS, Martin and James McHugh; BROTHERS, John, Maurice and James Carr and Sean McGinley is a BROTHER- IN-LAW of the Carrs; Seamus and Gerard McBrearty are BROTHERS. All COUSINS are Danny Gillespie, Christy Gillespie and Michael Carr. Swopping sides for today's final from the 1982 decider is Fr. Charlie Byrne. He was in Kilcar panel in 1982 and now is corner forward with Four Masters.

FOUR MASTERS PEN PICTURES 

MICHAEL KELLY - Aged 22. Goalkeeper. County U-21 keeper a few years back. Draughtsman.

GERARD BRESLIN - Aged 26. Corner back. Ex county minor. A steady, dependable defender. Insurance agent.

DERMOT MCGETTIGAN - Aged 26. Full back or centre half back. Former county minor and senior. Butcher.

PETER CALLAGHAN - Aged 35. Corner back. Hard working defender. Builder.

SEAN BOYLE - Aged 20. Half back. Another steady, hard working defender. Office clerk.

CORNY CARR - Aged 23. Great all round player. P & T installer. Centre half back.

JOE LACY - Aged 23. Half back or wing half forward. Ex-Laois county minor. Office clerk.

EAMONN GORRELL - Aged 22. Half back or wing corner forward. Ex-Donegal V.S. player like many others on the panel. P & T engineer.

PASCAL BROGAN - Aged 20. County under-21 and junior player. Midfielder. Painter and decorator.

JIM MCLAUGHLIN - Aged 20. County under-21 and junior player. Holds senior championship medal with St. Eunan's '83 and Four Masters '84. Midfielder. Bank official AIB, Donegal Town.

SEAMUS MEEHAN - Aged 22. Half forward. Played for county senior and under-21 teams. PE teacher.

JOYCE McMULLAN - Aged 22. Centre half forward or midfield. Successful county player. Insurance agent.

LARRY WALSH - Aged 24. Half forward. Having a very impressive year. Garda.

CHARLIE BYRNE - Aged 28. Corner forward or centre full forward. Ex-Kilcar player. Holder of League and Shield medals with his native Kilcar. Never won a championship medal. Priest.

JACKIE MCGROARTY - Aged 28. Corner forward or wing half back. Ex-county player. Team captain. Publican and travel agent.

PAUL DUNCAN - Aged 31. Midfielder or centre full forward. County hurler. Bakery manager.

PAURIC FARRAGHER - Aged 28. Centre half forward or full forward. Ex-Galway county player. Garda.

BRENDAN MARTIN - Aged 31. Corner forward. Ex-county player. Spent some years outside county. Garda.

JOHN WILLIAMSON - Aged 31. Junior player back on the senior panel. Farmer.

SEAN DUNNION - Aged 17. Forward. Plays minor and junior. A very good prospect for the future. Drafted into senior panel a few months ago. Butcher.

MANUS BRENNAN - Aged 26. Midfielder or centre half forward. Holder of junior championship medal. P.E. teacher.

NIALL MULDOON - Aged 17. Played right back for Donegal V.S. 1985 All-Ireland medal holder. Voted junior player for 1984 Four Masters. Bank official.

MICHAEL MCBREARTY - Aged 23. Corner back or corner forward. Ex-under 21 player. PE teacher.

BRIAN MCGROARTY - Aged 23. Half back. Played county minor football and colleges football. A regular on the senior panel. He is a brother of Jackie who captains the team. Barman.

TEAM MANAGER: FRANCIE MONAGHAN - Aged 38. Played county minor at the age of 14 up to 18. Shortly after this he emigrated to England to work, came back home after four years in England and played senior for Four Masters for three years. He broke his leg in a match played in Tirconail! Park against a Garda selection and after that it finished his playing career. A gentleman on and off the field. P & T employee.

 

Cruinniú cinn bhliana/AGM CLG Chill Chartha Dé Sathairn 23ú Samhain @ 7pm i Halla an Pharóiste, the club AGM takes place on Saturday 23rd November in the Parish Hall at 7pm. 

 

Nominations to be in before 18th November. Link to nomination form bellow which can be downloaded, filled out and emailed back to the secretary at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Nomination Form 2024 AGM

Player profiles, results and information from the 1980 county senior final programme.

John Hegarty Aged 20. John is the Under 21 goalkeeper and has replaced the injured Michael McFadden on the senior team. Spent his youth in America. Machinist.

John Carr Aged 24. Corner back. Playing great football this year. One of the players who figured on the Under-21 side that won the County Championship three years in a row 1972-13-4. Design technician.

Dinny McBrearty Aged 25. Formerly a corner back, but played at full-back in the semi final. Played for Donegal Under 21 side. Has three U-21 medals. Welder in Killybegs Boatyard.

John Quinn Aged 30. Ex-county player. Also an ex-half-back played at comer back against Glen. Manager of Snáth Gaeltarra tá fógra acu sa chlar seol

Charlie McGroarty: Aged 19. One of the present Under-21 team that has reached the county final also. Strong aggressive half-back. Factory worker.

Michael Carr Aged 25. Centre half-back now. Current county player. Former Colleges star with Holy Cross, Falcarragh. Won Ulster senior medal in 1974 along with Kieran Keeney. Three U-21 medals. Businessman.

John Doogan Aged 18. The baby of the squad. Midfield on the Under-21 team: half-back with the seniors. Did his leaving at Carrick V.S. this year.

Danny Gillespie Aged 28. Cousin of Michael Carr, brother of well-known G.A.A officer! On this year's county panel. A midfielder. Ag teagasc i nGairmacoil na Carraige.

Aodh Cannon Aged 26. Midfielder. Played for Donegal Under-21 and senior teams. Injuries hampered his career. Under-21 medals with Cill Charthaigh. Civil servant.

Martin McHugh Aged 19. Half-forward. Sharpshooter. Memorable sideline kick put the nail in Glen's coffin in Fintra. Elusive. Factory worker.

Francie Cannon Aged 24. Led the attack in semi-final. Brother of Aodh and of Cloich Cheannfhaola's Brian. Bus conductor.

Sean McGinley Aged 33. Half-forward. One of South-West Donegal's best known players. Ex-county player. Gritty. Lorry driver. Captain.

Francie Gallagher Aged 21. A brother of Ard an Ratha's Séamus also a corner- forward. Captain of present Under-21 side. Carpenter.

Charlie O'Donnell Aged 30. A brother of Ard an Ratha's Frank. Rare indeed to find two sets of brothers on opposing sides in a county final. Charlie played at full-forward in semi-final. Manager of Eadech Conamara. Féach na fógrall

Peter Conroy Aged 25. Right-back in first Championship game of the season; top- of-the-left in the semi-final. Fisherman.

Tommy McFadden Aged 23. Recently returned home after a spell overseas. A half-back, although formerly a forward. Come on as a sub against Glen. Ex- county player. Carpenter.

Maurice Carr Aged 19. A brother of John's. Defender. Member of this year's Under- 21 team. Builder.

Michael Doherty Aged 24. Played in the attack in the first round of the Championship. Builder.

Timmy Driscoll Aged 23. Former St. Eunan's College corner forward. Small but fast. Factory worker.

John O'Donnell Aged 23. Former Holy Cross College full-back. One of the O'Donnell’s of Bogagh. Factory worker.

Michael McFadden Aged 20. Would be to- day's goalkeeper but for a serious hand injury. Factory worker.

lan Hegarty Team manager. See page 18 of this clár. Works in Eadach Conamara factory.

CILL CHARTHAIGH (Underdogs)

Shield: failed to qualify for semi-final.

Gaeltacht: beaten by Gaoth Dobhair in first round.

League: finished third.

April 7th, 1980: runners-up in St. Eunan's sevens.

July 19th 1980 winners of Seán MacCumhall tournament.

CILL CHARTHAIGH STAIR

Cill Charthaigh have never won a County Senior Final although they were awarded the Championship in 1925 following a series of disputes and protests. Only twice in the history of the competition have Cill Charthaigh played in the Senior Football Championship Final. Sean MacCumhails beat them on both occasions.

In 1959 it was by 1-6 to 0-4. On November 3, 1963, in Ballyshannon it was by 2-7 to 1-6. The Cill Charthaigh team on that day was: M. Haughey: S. McNulty, C. Brady, J. Cunningham; P. Haughey, P. O'Donnell, S. McGuinness; J. Gillespie, P. O'Donnell; J. Boyle, D. Houlihane, C. McLoughlin; 1. Hegarty, A. O'Donnell, K. McDonald.

Cill Charthaigh (founded 1924) won the Senior League in 1933, 1935, 1969, 1975 and 1979.

THE DR. MAGUIRE CUP

Very Rav. Dr. Maguire, P.P., Glencolumbkille, died in July 1926. In August 1925 an appeal was launched in order to purchase a cup to perpetuate his memory.

The Dr. Maguire Cup became the prize for the Donegal Senior Football Champions. Letterkenny Rovers wore its first winners. At the 1968 Convention Most Rev. Dr. McFeely, Bishop of Raphoe, presented the new Dr. Maguire Cup to the County Board.

NA RÉITEORÍ

JACK FUREY is today's Senior Final referee. Aged 35. A native of Dunkineely. Played with Dunkineely. charge of 1979 Junior Final. Married with five children. A P. & T. technician.

TOM MOMULLAN handles the Intermediate Final. Aged 33. A Tyrone man, he now lives in Letterkenny. Married with one child. Carpenter.

EUNAN MCBRIDE is the Minor referee. Aged 33. A native of Convoy, Married with three children. A military policeman.

PATHS TO FINAL

Cill Charthalgh 1-10, Ballyshannon 0-10

Cill Charthaigh 1-12, Ballyshannon 0-8

CII Charthaigh 2-17, Ruagari ne Rosann 0-3

Cill Charthaigh 2-9, Naomh Columba 1-10

 

And an Rátha 1-14, Robert Emmets 0-5

And an Rátha 2-8, Robert Emmets 1-10

Ard an Rátha 0-8, Killybegs 1-5

Ardan Rátha 1-10, Killybegs 0-6

Ardan Rátha 1-11, Sean MacCumhaill 0-7

 

Ard na Rátha

Patsy Harkin Aged 23. Patsy has emerged as Ard an Ratha's goalkeeper in this present Championship campaign. Farmer.

Frank O'Donnall Aged 33. Right comer back. One of the veterans of the side. Like most of the team has won Shield and Gaeltacht medles. Cléireach sa Rohn P. agus T. See the Cill Charthaigh pen pics.

Anthony Molloy Aged 18. Played at full-back in the semi-final. Big strong young player. Played at full-forward for the county minors this year. Works in Meenaneary factory.

Eddie McLoone Aged 23. Former county minor. Seems to have made the left-back position his own this season. An engineering technician in Dublin.

Noel Watters Aged 24. Consistent wing half- back who has been part of this successful Ard an Rátha team throughout the present revival. Builder.

Martin Sweeney Aged 26. Left half-back on the Donegal Ulster final side of 1979. Back to form now Baker following lay-off.

Conal Aidan Gildea Aged 23. In many ways similar to his fellow wing-half, Noel Watters unspectacular but consistently sound. Penalty kicker Works in a Killybegs fish factory.

Anthony Harkin Aged 24. Red-haired, haired, big hearted Anthony is probably Ard an Rátha's best known player. Won Al Ireland club medal with Thomound Collage. Played for Donegal up to 1979 College. Midfielder PE teacher in Loreto College, Milford, Captain.

Josie Gallagher Aged 28. Another ex-county player. Having a great season at midfield. Fine place kicker. Contractor.

Gerard McNelis Aged 18. Substitute on this year's county minor side. Right-half forward. Good place-kicker. One of two minors in the squad. Weaver

Connie Molloy Aged 24. Big centre half- forward, Connie is one of three brothers on the team. Consistent sooner during the campaign. Site clerk with Sisk's, Dublin.

Lanty Molloy Aged 19. Brother of Connie and Anthony. A half-forward with a fine catch and plenty of speed. Describes himself as an ex-saksman

Seamus Gallagher Aged 30. Stylish ex-Cill Charthaigh forward. Another of Ard an Ratha's many place kickers. Builder. See the Cill Charthaigh pen pictures

Kieran Keaney Aged 27. Strange but successful choice at full-forward in the semi-final. Usually a half-back although a halt forward on this year's Donegal senior team. One of the side's most accomplished players. P. and T. technician. Scored winning gool in 1974 Ulster final.

Patsy Glidea Aged 32. Has played in every position with Ard an Rátha and has won every medal except this one Left corner forward against MacCumhaill's in the semi-final; goalkeeper against MacCumhaill's in the Shield final. Fisherman.

Frank McGee Aged 31. Another of the long serving players in the squad. A comer forward. Teaches in Killybegs Vocational School

John Boyle Aged 28. A full-forward who has been on and off the team. Big powerful player. Weaver.

Pete Shovlin Aged 28. A wing half-back. Tough hardy footballer. Builder.

John Harron: Aged 27. A corner-forward. Played in the the Donegal Gaeltacht final. Works with Bord na Mona.

Manus McGill Aged 31. Recently returned home from America. New addition to the squad.

Phonsie Bennett Team managers don't give ages! A carpenter. His 1980 side has won the Shield and the Gaeltacht. Only the League and Championship remain.

ARD AN RÁTHA (Favourites)

March 23rd, 1980-Senior Shield Final beet Sean MacCumhail 1-4 to 0-5.

Bealtaine 4, 1980-Gaeltacht. Cluiche Ceannais. Bhuail slad Gaoth Dobhair 0-10 to 1-6.

August 1980- Senior League. Lavel on top of table with Naomh Columba. Two games each to play.

ARD AN RÁTHA - STAIR

Ard an Rátha (founded 1921) last appeared in the County Senior Final in 1938. Gaoth Dobhair beat Ard an Rátha by 1-7 to 0-5 in Glenties on September 4, 1938, with J. Dorrian Kilcar refereeing.

The Ard on Ratha fifteen that day was: D. Boyle: J. Maxwell, T. Gallagher, H. Gildea: C. McHugh, A. McHugh, F. Heaney; W. Boyle, P. McGill: J. Waters, V. McHugh, N. McHugh: J. Campbell, D. Gallagher, M. Boyle.

Ard an Rátha had lost the 1935 decider to An Clochan Liath by 2-8 to 2-2. Ard an Rátha appeared in three more senior finals and won all three. They won the County Championship in 1923 (beat Ballybofey in 1925 (beat Letterkenny Rovers 0-5 to 0-2 and in 1928 beat Killygordon 1-4 to 0-3. The 1928 team that brought the Dr. Maguire Cup to Ard an Rátha was: T. O'Donnell, T. Gallagher, C. Breslin, L. Howley, P. Breslin, P. J. Gildea. M. McArdle, J. Waters, H. Haughey, M. Cullen, C. McDyre, C. Kennedy. D. Mooney. Ard an Rátha won the Senior League in 1931 and 1943 and the Senior Shield in 1978 and 1979.

 

Next Saturday evening, November 16th, our minor board and ladies board have organised an evening of celebration for all our underage teams to acknowledge the fantastic sportsmanship, trainings, matches, etc. that they participated in this year. 

The evening will be held in the Blue Haven with food and entertainment.

We would ask if all children and families who wish to attend the celebrations, to come to the Blue Haven from 5.45pm, as the meal will be served at 6.30pm.

This will be followed by medal presentations for all teams, with special guests, followed by music. It would be wonderful if all our teams from Under 6's up could attend. 

We hope to see you all Saturday evening.