:Donegal Celtic F.C.

Donegal Celtic was formed in 1970 when a group of young men who had a huge interest in football decided to form a team in the Lenadoon district of west Belfast.

With no facilities, kits, pitch or equipment, the first few years were spent playing friendlies and entering local summer competitions, which helped to enhance and promote their reputation and name. They registered their chosen name with the Irish Football League, taking the name from the area in which they were based; Lenadoon, Gweedore, Glenveagh are all local areas named after towns in County Donegal, with the Celtic part being taken on due to the massive local following for Scotland's Celtic and, until 1949, Belfast Celtic.

The club has a youth setup, covering boys' age groups U10 – U18, and a girl's set-up at U14. Donegal Celtic Ladies senior side won the 'Belfast Cup' in 2004.

The club's senior men's team has a chequered and colourful history. After continually applying for Irish League entry they were denied on several occasions and forced to play amateur football, along with County Armagh team Lurgan Celtic. A 1990 cup tie at Linfield involved ground unrest.{{Cite web|url=http://riotonline.com/blog/2010/10/linfield-f-c-donegal-celtic-irisih-cup-1990/|title=Linfield F.C.- Donegal Celtic, Irish Cup 1990|website=riotonline.com|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=3 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603103723/http://riotonline.com/blog/2010/10/linfield-f-c-donegal-celtic-irisih-cup-1990/|url-status=usurped}} With accusations of a sectarian selection process and with the threat of court action looming {{citation-needed|date=March 2022}}, both clubs finally gained entry into the Irish League 2nd Division for the 2002–03 season.

The club managed to finish in 6th place in their first year in the Irish League proper, which due to a league shake-up was enough to earn promotion to the First Division. The club's second season in Irish League football was marred by poor home form and an inability to cope with the change in standard, finishing in 8th place.

Donegal Celtic finished the 2004–05 season in 3rd place losing out on a promotion play-off place to Lurgan club Glenavon and also lost the IFA Intermediate Cup final on penalties to the same team at Stangmore Park, Dungannon. The club's fortunes improved following the establishment of a management structure of Paddy Kelly, Marty McKiernan and Gerard Loughran. In the 2005–06 season, the club finished as runners-up to Crusaders in the league, earning the right to play over two legs for a place in the Premier League, which they achieved on 10 May 2006 with a 3–1 aggregate victory against Institute. The team also managed to capture the Intermediate Cup, defeating Coagh United 2–0 in the final.

The next few seasons would see the club going through managerial turmoil, changing managers seven times in four years. Paddy Kelly resigned as manager before the 2009–10 season started, with former Cliftonville and Coleraine player Pat McAllister replacing him.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8058536.stm|title=McAllister replaces Kelly at DC|date=19 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=22 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522143826/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8058536.stm|url-status=live}} In June 2010, a few weeks after guiding the club's return into the top flight for the 2010–11 IFA Premiership season with a 1–0 aggregate win over Institute in the promotion play-off,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8681662.stm|title=Institute 0–1 Donegal Celtic|date=14 May 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=17 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517105858/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8681662.stm|url-status=live}} McAllister agreed a new deal to stay as manager for the 2010–11 season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8715542.stm|title=McAllister signs new deal with DC|date=1 June 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220433/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/8715542.stm|url-status=live}} However, less than a month later he shocked the club by resigning, citing personal reasons for his decision.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8755054.stm|title=Pat McAllister stuns Donegal Celtic by quitting post|date=22 June 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220345/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/8755054.stm|url-status=live}}

Marty Tabb, a former Cliftonville captain and manager, took over for the start of the 2010–11 season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8774162.stm|title=Marty Tabb named as new Donegal Celtic manager|date=29 June 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220345/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8774162.stm|url-status=live}} However, in September 2010, he was sacked after only 74 days in charge.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/8987077.stm|title=Donegal Celtic sack manager Marty Tabb|date=10 September 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/8987077.stm|url-status=live}} Paddy Kelly then returned to the club for a second spell as manager. He resigned for the second time in January 2012, along with a number of coaches and the entire club committee, due to an internal club dispute.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16697919|title=Paddy Kelly stands by resignation as Donegal Celtic boss|date=24 January 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530043520/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16697919|url-status=live}}

Former Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Small was appointed Kelly's successor a few days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16765727|title=Donegal Celtic appoint Stephen Small as new manager|date=27 January 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220440/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/16765727|url-status=live}} However, Small's tenure would not be a successful one. The club suffered a run of 15 league games without a win, which included 12 defeats and 3 draws. They were also knocked out of the 2012–13 Irish League Cup at home, by IFA Championship 1 outfit Harland & Wolff Welders.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/welders-shock-dc-with-late-late-show-1-4202941|title=Welders shock DC with late, late show|date=27 August 2012|publisher=newsletter.co.uk|access-date=2 October 2012}} Small resigned in September 2012, citing poor results and personal pressures as the reasons for his departure.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19778501|title=Donegal Celtic manager Stephen Small resigns|date=30 September 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 October 2012|archive-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003021954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19778501|url-status=live}} Reserve team manager Declan McGreevy, a former Ards and Ballymena United player, was appointed as the club's next manager on 11 October 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19910928|title=Donegal Celtic name Declan McGreevy as new manager|date=11 October 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 October 2012|archive-date=12 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012060116/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19910928|url-status=live}} Ten days later however, McGreevy was forced to stand down from the post as he did not possess the required UEFA 'A' licence to manage an IFA Premiership club. Former manager Pat McAllister was immediately announced as McGreevy's replacement, returning to the club for a second spell as manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20021034|title=Donegal Celtic boss Declan McGreevy 'not qualified' for job|date=21 October 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 October 2012|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103220351/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/20021034|url-status=live}} The club was also involved in some controversy that season, when they were deducted 3 points and fined £500 for fielding a suspended player in a 2–1 win over Lisburn Distillery – the result was changed to a 3–0 loss. The club maintained that the IFA had given them verbal clearance for the player to take part in the match, but did not appeal the decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21933782|title=DC back in automatic relegation picture after points deduction|date=25 March 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 April 2013|archive-date=28 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328113523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21933782|url-status=live}}

The club ended the season in the relegation play-off place (11th), and faced the runners-up of Championship 1, Warrenpoint Town, for a place in next season's Premiership. The tie ended 2–2 on aggregate with Warrenpoint Town winning on the away goals rule. This relegated Donegal Celtic to the second tier.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22469736|title=Warrenpoint Town overcome Donegal Celtic in Premiership play-off|date=10 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=18 May 2013|archive-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619030533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22469736|url-status=live}} In August 2013, five days prior to the start of the 2013–14 NIFL Championship season – the club's first season return in the second tier, manager Pat McAllister along with his entire backroom staff and several first team players all quit the club following a club meeting. McAllister stated that he could no longer work under the conditions and restrictions that were imposed during the meeting as a result of the club's difficult financial situation.{{cite news|url=http://www.u.tv/Sport/McAllister-quits-Donegal-Celtic/4990c3cd-e871-4691-8237-54c032c481b9|title=McAllister quits Donegal Celtic|date=4 August 2013|publisher=UTV|access-date=4 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042924/http://www.u.tv/Sport/McAllister-quits-Donegal-Celtic/4990c3cd-e871-4691-8237-54c032c481b9|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Former Donegal Celtic player Paul McAreavey was announced as the club's new manager a few days later. McAreavey left after one season, in which the club finished 11th, to be replaced by Nicky Maye, a member of the coaching staff.[https://twitter.com/NickyMaye/status/474303252939685888 Nicky Maye's official Twitter account] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505105025/https://twitter.com/nickymaye/status/474303252939685888 |date=5 May 2016 }}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2018}}

Under Maye the team continued to struggle, finishing one point above relegation for the 2014–15 season. Maye continued as manager for the following season, but after a poor start and with the club bottom of the table without a single league win, Maye's departure was announced in October 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D734337676672661%26id%3D186173731489061|title=Log into Facebook|website=Facebook|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913111519/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D734337676672661%26id%3D186173731489061|url-status=live}} Gerry Bradley, a member of the coaching staff and former player for the club, was confirmed as his successor soon afterwards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D736539783119117%26id%3D186173731489061|title=Log into Facebook|website=Facebook|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913105630/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D736539783119117%26id%3D186173731489061|url-status=live}} However Bradley resigned soon after his appointment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/dongeal-celtic-hit-new-low-after-suffering-ards-rout-34264178.html|title=Dongeal Celtic hit new low after suffering Ards rout|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908180227/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/dongeal-celtic-hit-new-low-after-suffering-ards-rout-34264178.html|url-status=live}} Former Chimney Corner F.C. manager Stephen Hatfield was appointed his successor in late December 2015.[https://twitter.com/BroomhillFC/status/682633169796001792 Broomhill FC twitter page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305111645/https://twitter.com/BroomhillFC/status/682633169796001792 |date=5 March 2016 }}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/sport/football/hatfield-realistic-but-relishing-role-as-manager-at-struggling-donegal-celtic-1-7144337|title=Hatfield realistic but relishing role as manager at struggling Donegal Celtic|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212004936/https://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/sport/football/hatfield-realistic-but-relishing-role-as-manager-at-struggling-donegal-celtic-1-7144337|url-status=live}} However, the team continued to struggle in the second tier, with Celtic's relegation to the third tier confirmed in March 2016 after only 19 games of the 2015–16 season played. At the time their relegation was confirmed, the team had amassed a meagre 3 points and had failed to win a single league game all season, leaving them 23 points away from safety with only 7 games and 21 points left to play for.

For the 2016–17 season, the club competed in the third tier, for the first time since the 2002–03 season, finishing third.{{cite web|url=http://www.nifootballleague.com/nifl-premier-intermediate/table|title=Table|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102143603/http://www.nifootballleague.com/nifl-premier-intermediate/table|url-status=live}}

Subsequent relegation in 2018 found the club in the fourth tier, where it continues to play.{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/donegal-celtic-announce-plans-remain-16218328|title=Donegal Celtic have announced plans to remain in football|date=2 May 2019|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031014725/https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/donegal-celtic-announce-plans-remain-16218328|url-status=live}}

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• Pat McAllister (May 2009 – June 2010)
• Marty Tabb (June 2010 – September 2010)
• Paddy Kelly (September 2010 – January 2012)
• Stephen Small (January 2012 – September 2012)
• Declan McGreevy (October 2012)
• Pat McAllister October 2012 – August 2013)
• Paul McAreavey (August 2013 – June 2014)
• Nicky Maye (June 2014 – October 2015)
• Gerry Bradley (November 2015 – December 2015)
• Stephen Hatfield (December 2015 – March 2018)
• Brendan Shannon (March 2018 - July 2018)

• Irish Intermediate Cup: 2
• 2005–06, 2009–10
• Steel & Sons Cup: 1
• 2003–04
• Northern Ireland Intermediate League: 8
• 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999–00; 2001–02
• Northern Ireland Intermediate League Challenge Cup: 6
• 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2001–02
• Northern Ireland Intermediate League Cup: 7
• 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02
• IFA Reserve League: 1
• 2007–08†
• † Won by Donegal Celtic Reserves

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.ifapremiership.com/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=6&Itemid=5&tid=289 Club information at IFA site]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110513155600/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/donegalcelticladies/ Donegal Celtic Ladies] (archived)

{{Football in northernireland}}

{{NIFL league}}

{{Former Irish League senior clubs}}

Category:Association football clubs established in 1970

Category:Association football clubs in Northern Ireland

Category:Former senior Irish Football League clubs

Category:Association football clubs in Belfast

Category:1970 establishments in Northern Ireland

Category:NIFL Premier Intermediate League clubs