Donegal Junior Football Championship

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}

{{Infobox GAA championship main

| name = Donegal Junior Football Championship

| image =

| first = 1932

| irish = Craobh Peil Sóisear Dhún na nGall

| current = Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin

| currentordinal = 1

| super = st

| most = Castlefinn Robert Emmet's

| mostordinal = 7

}}

The Donegal Junior Football Championship (abbreviated as Donegal JFC) is an annual football competition organised by Donegal GAA.

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin are the title holders (2024) defeating Carndonagh in the Final.

History

The competition has been won by 42 clubs, 24 of which have won it more than once. Castlefinn Robert Emmet's are the most successful club with seven titles to their credit.

Donegal senior footballer Marty Carlin scored 0–10 against Cill Chartha in the 1981 Donegal JFC final. Other men to have won this competition and to have played at senior level for their county include Caolan McColgan, with his 2024 title added to the Ulster Senior Football Championship medal he won with Donegal earlier that year.

Donegal county team manager Declan Bonner brought national attention to the competition when he lined out for his club Na Rossa in 2019, notably making saves while playing as goalkeeper when his team's regular goalkeeper transferred to New York.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/09/28/declan-bonner-to-the-fore-as-na-rossa-reach-junior-semi-finals/|title=Declan Bonner to the fore as Na Rossa reach Junior semi-finals|date=28 September 2019|access-date=28 September 2019}}{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/09/21/declan-bonner-plays-as-na-rossa-reach-junior-quarter-finals/|title=Declan Bonner plays as Na Rossa reach Junior quarter-finals|date=21 September 2019|access-date=21 September 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0924/1077956-donegal-boss-bonner-on-life-as-a-54-year-old-goalkeeper/|title=Donegal boss Bonner on life as a 54-year-old goalkeeper|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=24 September 2019|access-date=24 September 2019}}

Honours

The winning club receives the Dr McCloskey Cup. The winning club is promoted to the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship for the following season.

The Donegal JFC winner qualifies for the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship. It is the only team from County Donegal to qualify for this competition. The Donegal JFC winner may enter the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship at either the preliminary round or the quarter-final stage. It often does well there, with the likes of Naomh Colmcille{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/278516|title=Ulster club JFC final: Naomh Colmcille make history|work=Hogan Stand|date=25 November 2017|access-date=27 November 2017}} and Red Hugh's{{cite news|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/11/19/news/red-hugh-s-beat-limavady-to-win-ulster-junior-football-title-1487799/|title=Red Hugh's beat Limavady to win Ulster junior football title|work=The Irish News|date=19 November 2018|access-date=19 December 2021}} among the clubs from Donegal to win at least one Ulster Championship after winning the Donegal Junior Football Championship.

The Donegal JFC winner — by winning the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship — may qualify for the All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship, at which it would enter at the semi-final stage, providing it hasn't been drawn to face the British champions in the quarter-finals. This is what happened to Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin in the 2024–25 All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship. The club defeated Tara in the quarter-final in London, then defeated Kilmurry of Cork on penalties in the semi-final, before losing the final at Croke Park.{{cite news|first=Kathy|last=Donaghy|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/we-are-trying-to-do-him-proud-how-loss-of-their-teammate-to-cancer-is-spurring-one-donegal-gaa-squad-to-unprecedented-victory/a1425271472.html|title='We are trying to do him proud' — how loss of their teammate to cancer is spurring one Donegal GAA squad to unprecedented victory|work=Irish Independent|date=11 January 2025|access-date=11 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/334789|title=Naomh Padraig advance to All-Ireland club JFC final with penalty shootout win over Kilmurray|work=Hogan Stand|date=12 January 2025|access-date=12 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cy8pj961ze5o|title=Naomh Padraig edged out in All-Ireland Junior Club final|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2025|access-date=25 January 2025}}

Winners and finalists

=Results by team=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Results by team

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | #

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Team{{Efn|Titles for clubs based in the same area and with a common heritage are aggregated.}}

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Wins

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Years won

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Last final lost

1

| Castlefinn / Robert Emmet's

| 7

|style="text-align:left;"| 1945, 1951, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1987, 2002

| 2008

rowspan=2 |2

| Convoy

| rowspan=2 |6

|style="text-align:left;"| 1941, 1942, 1963, 1995, 2005, 2020

| 1992

Na Dúnaibh

|style="text-align:left;"| 1948, 1957, 1977, 2012, 2016, 2021

| 2020

3

| Urris

| 5

|style="text-align:left;"| 1979, 1989, 1999, 2001, 2014

| 2018

4

| Milford

| 4

|style="text-align:left;"| 1990, 2000, 2004, 2013

| 2012

rowspan=8 | 5

| Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)

|rowspan=8 | 3

|style="text-align:left;"| 1932, 1944, 1955

| {{N/A}}

Cloich Cheann Fhaola

|style="text-align:left;"| 1938, 1939, 1959

| 1974

Donegal Town / Four Masters

|style="text-align:left;"| 1943, 1965, 1975

| 1968

Killygordon / Red Hugh's

|style="text-align:left;"| 1946, 1981, 2018

| 2017

Carndonagh

|style="text-align:left;"| 1950, 1952, 2008

| 2024

St Naul's

|style="text-align:left;"| 1962, 1972, 1984

| 1954

Naomh Bríd

|style="text-align:left;"| 1986, 2003, 2006

| 2002

Naomh Colmcille

|style="text-align:left;"| 1994, 2010, 2017

| 1998

rowspan=11 | 6

| Glenties

|rowspan=11 | 2

|style="text-align:left;"| 1933, 1964

| 1963

Na Rossa

|style="text-align:left;"| 1982, 2023

| 2006

Dunkineely/Naomh Ultan

|style="text-align:left;"| 1936, 2015

| 2014

Bundoran

|style="text-align:left;"| 1960, 1966

| 1970

Ard an Rátha

|style="text-align:left;"| 1967, 1970

| 1980

Cill Chartha

|style="text-align:left;"| 1971, 1993

| 1989

St Michael's

|style="text-align:left;"| 1983, 1992

| 1971

Gaeil Fhánada

|style="text-align:left;"| 1985, 1997

| 1993

Buncrana

|style="text-align:left;"| 1988, 2019

| {{N/A}}

Naomh Muire

|style="text-align:left;"| 1991, 2007

| 2004

Moville

|style="text-align:left;"| 1996, 2009

| 2023

rowspan=18 | 7

| Rosses Rovers

|rowspan=18 | 1

|style="text-align:left;"| 1934

| {{N/A}}

Letterkenny Gaels

|style="text-align:left;"| 2022

| 2021

Gaoth Dobhair

|style="text-align:left;"| 1935

| 1982

An Clochán Liath

|style="text-align:left;"| 1937

| 1950

Dún Líonáin

|style="text-align:left;"| 1940

| 1943

Corlea

|style="text-align:left;"| 1947

| 1946

Liscooly

|style="text-align:left;"| 1949

| {{N/A}}

Inch

|style="text-align:left;"| 1958

| 1966

Mulroy Gaels

|style="text-align:left;"| 1968

| {{N/A}}

Ranafast

|style="text-align:left;"| 1969

| {{N/A}}

Termon

|style="text-align:left;"| 1973

| 1978

Naomh Columba

|style="text-align:left;"| 1974

| 1973

Na Cealla Beaga

|style="text-align:left;"| 1976

| 1975

Glenfin

|style="text-align:left;"| 1978

| 1977

St Eunan's

|style="text-align:left;"| 1980

| 1988

Malin

|style="text-align:left;"| 1998

| 1996

Burt

|style="text-align:left;"| 2011

| {{N/A}}

Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin

|style="text-align:left;"| 2024

| 2016

=Finals listed by year=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Year

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Winner

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Score

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Opponent

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Score

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Winning captain

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Man of the match

! style="background:#FCF75E;color:green;{{box-shadow border|a|green|1px}}" | Winning manager

1932

| Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)

| 1-2

| Glenties

| 0-4

1933{{cite news | author= | date = 28 October 1933 | title = Donegal News | via = www.irishnewsarchive.com | work = Donegal Democrat | page = 12 | location = Ballyshannon | url = http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie | access-date = 7 June 2020 }}

| Glenties

| 0-2

| Townawilly

| 0-1

1934

| Rosses Rovers

| 1-6

| Donegal Town

| 0-0

1935

| Gaoth Dobhair

| 4-3

| Ard an Rátha

| 0-11

1936

| Dunkineely

| 3-5

| Letterkenny

| 1-0

1937

| An Clochán Liath

| 3-2

| Cashelard

| 1-0

1938

| Cloich Cheann Fhaola

| 2-3

| Downstrands

| 0-5

1939

| Cloich Cheann Fhaola

| 1-5

| Castlefinn

| 0-5

1940

| Dún LíonáinDún Líonáin or Fort Leenan were an army side based in the Carrigans area - http://www.hoganstand.com/county/donegal/article/index/240661

| 4-1

| Downstrands

| 2-4

1941{{cite news | author= | date = 2 May 1942 | title = Belleek defeated in Junior final | via = www.irishnewsarchive.com | work = Donegal Democrat | page = 3 | location = Ballyshannon | url = http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie | access-date = 7 June 2020 }}

| Convoy

| 1-6

| Belleek{{Efn|Fermanagh side Belleek contested the Donegal Junior final.}}

| 0-4

1942

| Convoy

| 2-7

| Kindrum

| 1-4

1943{{Efn|Donegal County Board awarded the junior title to Donegal Town although the referee had noted the final score as Dún Líonáin 2-5 Donegal Town 2-4.}}

| Donegal Town

| 2-4

| Dún Líonáin

| 1-6

1944

| Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)

| 2-4

| Bundoran

| 1-3

1945

| Castlefinn

| 1-8

| Corlea

| 0-5

1946

| Killygordon

| 2-6

| Corlea

| 0-3

1947

| Corlea

| 5-5

| Na Dúnaibh

| 0-2

1948

| Na Dúnaibh

| 3-5

| Cill Chartha

| 1-3

1949{{cite news | author= | date = 15 October 1949 | title = Liscooly win first championship title | via = www.irishnewsarchive.com | work = The Derry People | page = 2 | location = Letterkenny | url = https://donegalnews.com/ | access-date = 7 June 2020 }}

| Liscooly

| 1-6

| Glenties

| 0-7

1950

| Carndonagh

| 1-6

| An Clochán Liath

| 1-2

1951

| Castlefinn

| 2-5

| St Naul's

| 1-4

1952

| Carndonagh

| 2-7

| Four Masters

| 1-0

1953

| Pettigo

| 3-3

| St Michael's

| 3-2

1954{{Efn|Castlefinn awarded the final after St Naul's walked off the field with the score at St Naul's 1-1 Castlefinn 0-1.}}

| Castlefinn

|

| St Naul's

|

1955

| Erin's Hope (Stranorlar)

| 2-12

| Na Dúnaibh

| 0-1

1956

| Castlefinn

| 2-6

| Bundoran

| 1-4

1957{{cite news | author= | date = 12 October 1957 | title = Downings take county junior final | via = www.irishnewsarchive.com | work = The Derry People | page = 2 | location = Letterkenny | url = https://donegalnews.com/ | access-date = 7 June 2020 }}

| Na Dúnaibh

| 4-7

| Letterkenny Lámh Dearg

| 3-2

1958

| Inch

| 1-6

| Bundoran

| 0-4

1959

| Cloich Cheann Fhaola

| 4-7

| Crossroads

| 0-2

1960

| Bundoran

| 4-7

| Na Dúnaibh

| 1-1

1961

| Castlefinn

| 4-6

| Creeslough

| 2-4

1962

| St Naul's

| 5-4

| Creeslough

| 1-3

1963

| Convoy

| 2-7

| Glenties

| 1-6

1964

| Glenties

| 1-9

| Castlefinn

| 0-3

1965

| Four Masters

| 2-4

| Ard an Rátha

| 1-6

1966

| Bundoran

| 6-6

| Inch

| 1-2

1967

| Ard an Rátha

| 0-7

| Convoy

| 0-5

1968

| Mulroy Gaels

| 2-11

| Four Masters

| 0-5

1969

| Ranafast

| 2-9

| St Michael's

| 0-10

1970

| Ard an Rátha

| 2-8

| Bundoran

| 1-8

1971

| Cill Chartha

| 2-6

| St Michael's

| 0-7

1972

| St Naul's

| 0-9

| Naomh Columba

| 0-7

1973

| Termon

| 0-11

| Naomh Columba

| 0-10

1974

| Naomh Columba

| 1-5

| Cloich Cheann Fhaola

| 0-3

1975

| Four Masters

| 1-8

| Na Cealla Beaga

| 1-6

1976

| Na Cealla Beaga

| 1-11

| Termon

| 1-5

1977

| Na Dúnaibh

| 2-8

| Glenfin

| 1-10

1978

| Glenfin

| 0-10

| Termon

| 0-6

1979

| Urris

| 2-13

| Gaoth Dobhair

| 1-2

1980

| St Eunan's

| 0-13

| Ard an Rátha

| 0-5

1981

| Red Hugh's

| 2-14

| Cill Chartha

| 0-4

1982

| Na Rossa

| 3-4

| Gaoth Dobhair B

| 2-6

1983

| St Michael's

| 1-15

| Milford

| 0-7

1984

| St Naul's

| 1-12

| Convoy

| 2-6

1985

| Gaeil Fhánada

| 3-4

| Seán Mac Cumhaills B

| 0-7

1986

| Naomh Bríd

| 0-9

| Robert Emmet's

| 1-4

1987

| Robert Emmet's

| 1-9

| Seán Mac Cumhaills B

| 1-3

1988

| Buncrana

| 3-6

| St Eunan's B

| 1-6

1989

| Urris

| 3-7

| Cill Chartha B

| 1-6

1990

| Milford

| 1-8

| Convoy

| 1-6

1991

| Naomh Muire

| 2-13

| Naomh Báithín

| 1-4

1992

| St Michael's

| 2-9

| Convoy

| 0-9

1993

| Cill Chartha

| 2-7

| Gaeil Fhánada

| 0-9

1994

| Naomh Colmcille

| 1-11

| Naomh Mura

| 0-10

1995

| Convoy

| 2-9

| Robert Emmet's

| 0-6

1996

| Moville

| 1-14

| Malin

| 0-10

1997

| Gaeil Fhánada

| 0-16

| Naomh Colmcille

| 0-12

1998

| Malin

| 0-13

| Naomh Colmcille

| 0-9

1999

| Urris

| 2-10

| Naomh Pádraig, Lifford

| 1-5

2000

| Milford

| 0-11

| Glenswilly

| 0-10

2001

| Urris

| 0-10

| Robert Emmet's

| 0-7

2002

| Robert Emmet's

| 1-16

| Naomh Bríd

| 0-10

2003

| Naomh Bríd

| 1-7

| Red Hugh's

| 0-8

2004

| Milford

| 0-13

| Naomh Muire

| 0-12

2005{{cite news|title=Convoy sweating on Dolan|work=Donegal News|date=3 October 2019|page=73|quote=Laurence McMullan starred the last time Convoy won the Junior Championship in 2005 when he was 20…}}

| Convoy

| 0-10

| Naomh Pádraig, Lifford

| 0-6

2006

| Naomh Bríd

| 2-10

| Na Rossa

| 0-6

2007

| Naomh Muire

| 0-8

| Naomh Pádraig, Lifford

| 0-7

2008

| Carndonagh

| 0-11

| Robert Emmet's

| 0-6

2009{{cite news|first=Liam|last=Porter|url=http://www.inishowennews.com/07Sports0917.htm|title=Moville hang on to clinch victory|work=Inishowen Independent|date=17 September 2009|access-date=17 September 2009}}

| Moville

| 1-9

| Milford

| 0-10

2010{{cite news|first=Johnny|last=Craig|url=https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/naomh-colmcille-donegal/archive/juniorachampionshipwin2010|title=Naomh Colmcille are the Donegal Junior Champions|work=Inish Times|date=25 October 2010|access-date=25 October 2010}}

| Naomh Colmcille

| 0-7

| Naomh Pádraig, Muff

| 0-6

2011{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/soccer/36510/Burt-make-it-a-double-with.html|title=Burt make it a double with first ever Junior title|date=18 October 2011|access-date=18 October 2011}}

| Burt

| 3-5

| Naomh Pádraig, Lifford

| 1-3

2012

| Na Dúnaibh

| 0-10

| Milford

| 0-5

2013

| Milford

| 2-9

| Urris

| 2-6

2014

| Urris

| 2-9

| Naomh Ultan

| 0-8

|

|

| Danny Kelly{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://donegalnews.com/2015/01/john-paul-gallagher-takes-over-at-cloughaneely-as-clubs-gear-up-for-new-season/|title=John Paul Gallagher takes over at Cloughaneely as clubs gear up for new season|work=Donegal News|date=23 January 2015|access-date=23 January 2015|quote=Donegal Junior champions Urris have also had a change of the guard as Mark Gilmore has been appointed to the hotseat at Straid. Danny Kelly led Urris to the Junior title, overcoming Naomh Ultan in the final and the Inishowen side went on a memorable march to the Ulster JFC final, where they lost out to Rock St Patrick’s of Tyrone.|archive-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515171324/http://donegalnews.com/2015/01/john-paul-gallagher-takes-over-at-cloughaneely-as-clubs-gear-up-for-new-season/|url-status=dead}}

2015{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/injury-time-winner-means-naomh-ultan-win-dramatic-junior-a-final-replay-against-red-hughs/|title=Injury time winner means Naomh Ultan win dramatic Junior A final replay against Red Hugh's|date=10 October 2015|access-date=10 October 2015}}

| Naomh Ultan

| 2-6

| Red Hugh's

| 2-5

2016{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/30409-2/|title=Dramatic finish sees Downings snatch victory over Muff in Junior A Final|date=9 October 2016|access-date=9 October 2016}}

| Na Dúnaibh

| 0-11

| Naomh Pádraig, Muff

| 1-7

2017{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/naomh-colmcille-hold-off-red-hughs-comeback-junior-final-glory/|title=Naomh Colmcille hold off Red Hugh's comeback for Junior Final glory|date=14 October 2017|access-date=14 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishnews.com/paywall/tsb/irishnews/irishnews/irishnews/sport/gaafootball/2017/10/16/news/naomh-colmcille-claim-donegal-junior-honours-1162586/content.html|title=Naomh Colmcille claim Donegal junior honours|work=The Irish News|first=Gerry|last=McLaughlin|date=16 October 2017|access-date=16 October 2017}}

| Naomh Colmcille

| 2-7

| Red Hugh's

| 0-8

2018{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/james-carlin-four-red-hughs-finally-end-wait-championship-glory/|title=James Carlin to the four as Red Hugh's finally end their wait for championship glory|date=13 October 2018|access-date=13 October 2018}}

| Red Hugh's

| 4-9

| Urris

| 0-5

2019{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/buncranas-late-surge-takes-junior-title-from-letterkenny-gaels-grasp/|title=Buncrana's late surge takes Junior title from Letterkenny Gaels grasp|date=12 October 2019|access-date=12 October 2019}}

| Buncrana

| 2-12

| Letterkenny Gaels

| 2-8

2020{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/jfc-winners-st-marys-convoy-are-singing-in-the-rain/|title=JFC winners St Mary's Convoy are singing in the rain|date=4 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020}}

| Convoy

| 3-10

| Na Dúnaibh

| 1-3

2021{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/693098/downings-put-right-the-wrongs-of-2020-to-win-junior-a-title-with-ease.html|title=Downings put right the wrongs of 2020 to win Junior A title with ease|date=14 November 2021|access-date=14 November 2021}}

| Na Dúnaibh

| 1-9

| Letterkenny Gaels

| 0-3

| Ben McNutt

| Danny McBride

2022{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/939834/letterkenny-gaels-end-their-wait-with-jfc-final-win-over-carndonagh.html|title=Letterkenny Gaels end their wait with JFC final win over Carndonagh|date=16 October 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}

| Letterkenny Gaels

| 0-12

| Carndonagh

| 0-10

| Conor Browne

| Ronan Frain

| Dougie Corbett

2023{{cite news|first=Gerry|last=McLaughlin|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1323194/brilliant-na-rossa-clinch-junior-a-title-at-movilles-expense.html|title=Brilliant Na Rossa clinch Junior A title at Moville's expense|date=14 October 2023|access-date=14 October 2023}}

| Na Rossa

| 0-15

| Moville

| 1-10

| Daniel Martin

| Aidan McHugh

| Declan Bonner

2024{{cite news|first=Conor|last=Breslin|url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1622756/naomh-padraig-uisce-chaoin-secure-donegal-jfc-title-with-solid-win-over-carndonagh.html|title=Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin secure Donegal JFC title with solid win over Carndonagh|date=5 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|quote=Despite Carn's best efforts, Naomh Padraig manager Daniel McCauley can take great satisfaction in how well disciplined and organised his side was in defence forcing Carndonagh done blind alleys and forcing shots wide.}}

| Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin

| 2-12

| Carndonagh

| 0-8

| ?

| ?

| Daniel McCauley

References

{{Reflist}}

Explanatory notes

{{notes}}

Further reading

  • {{Cite book|last=Ó Gallchóir|first=An tAth. Seán|title=The Book of Donegal GAA Facts|year=2007|location=Letterkenny|publisher=Browne Printers Ltd|isbn=978-09542806-3-5}}