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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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St Eunan's GAA
St Eunans GAA (/ˈjuːnən/ YOO-nən; or Naomh Adhamhnáin) is a dual club which plays hurling and Gaelic football. Its home ground is O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny. It fields 35 teams, making it the biggest club in its county.

One of the strongholds of Gaelic football in County Donegal, the club has won the joint most Donegal Senior Football Championship titles (along with Gaoth Dobhair, which has also won 15). Considered Donegal's most prolific club, it is renowned for its conveyor belt-like consistency in producing players of senior inter-county quality, including numerous All-Ireland winners. Also renowned for its success at minor level, the club has won 19 minor football championships, with 3 minor championship wins and four final appearances in the four years from 2015 to 2018 they have toured abroad, particularly the United States in 1969 and 1998, and Glasgow in 1977. In 1980, it received an All-Ireland Club of the Year Award, at a ceremony in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

It has a long-running boundary dispute with neighbouring club Letterkenny Gaels, which was founded in 1996 and has competed only in the Donegal Junior Football Championship. An agreement was signed between the two clubs that there would be no boundaries within the Town; however, this has not stopped Letterkenny Gaels in its pursuit of dividing the town along parish lines.

History

The club has won a total of 15 Donegal Senior Football Championship titles, the latest of which came on 2 November 2021, a comprehensive 1–11 to 0–4 victory against fierce rival Naomh Conaill in the final at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

The club is the most successful in the county at underage football, with more than fifty underage championships at under-14, under-16 and under-18 grades, as well as various under-13 and under-15 óg sport successes.

Early days

Frank "Steve" Donohoe and Mickey McGovern formed a club called the "Fag a Bailes" in 1917 during a meeting at McGovern's Public House on Letterkenny's Lower Main Street. This club would be important to the proper establishment of Gaelic football in East Donegal. The town's first Gaelic football playing field was located where Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny currently is. Also in the team of that era were goalkeeper Johnny McClean and Fr John McMonagle of Glencar, who played at midfield. Letterkenny's next clubs were the Geraldines (established in 1924) and Letterkenny Rovers. Letterkenny Rovers won the town's first Donegal Senior Football Championship in 1927—beating Carrigans in a final uniquely held at Newtowncunningham—with a field selected, goalposts erected and admission fee of 6d.

1930–1947

1930 brought the foundation of the current club, with Geraldines and Rovers fading away. Glencar was the location of the club's first playing pitch. In its first year of existence the club reached the final of the 1930 Donegal Senior Football Championship, losing to Dungloe by a scoreline of 3–2 to 2–3. The club purchased the grounds for O'Donnell Park for £300 in the 1930s. The ground opened on Sunday 2 May 1937, when a hurling match between Donegal and Antrim and a football match between Donegal and Armagh were divided by an address from GAA president R. O'Keeffe, and all were preceded by the Most Rev. Dr. McNeely, Bishop of Raphoe's Blessing of the Park. By the mid-1940s, it was Letterkenny's only GAA club—having also seen off both St Pat's and St Columba's—and the team reached the final of the Donegal Senior Football Championship in 1944, 1946 and 1947, losing to the four-in-a-row invincibles from Gaoth Dobhair.

1948–1969

The club won their first Donegal Senior Football Championship in 1948, defeating old nemesis and previously invincible Gaoth Dobhair by a scoreline of 1–7 to 2–1. The club made the final again in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952, eventually winning their second title in 1956, beating Ballyshannon by a scoreline of 0–8 to 1–2. In 1960 the club beat Gaoth Dobhair in the final again, this time by a scoreline of 0–11 to 0–3. In 1967 the club beat St Joseph's by a scoreline of 1–13 to 1–9, and beat the same team again in 1969, by a scoreline of 0–10 to 1–4 on that occasion.

1970s–1990s

In 1972 the club beat Clan na nGael—a previous incarnation of Four Masters—by a scoreline of 2–12 to 1–8 in the final at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey.

There followed a lull, broken in 1983, when the club defeated Ard an Rátha in the final by a scoreline of 0–8 to 0–3. There would be no further senior titles until 1999. The club fielded an ineligible player against Aodh Ruadh in the 1997 senior final, and were subsequently disqualified from the competition. The title was won on the pitch but taken away in the boardroom in controversial circumstances. The player in question had played championship football in America earlier in the year and despite St Eunan's being given the all-clear to field him the County title was subsequently stripped from the club. The club roared back against Aodh Ruadh in the 1999 final, with Brendan Devenney broke Martin McHugh's record by scoring 0–14 of his team's 1–19 to their opponents' 1–11.

21st-century

In the 2001 championship final the club defeated Four Masters by a scoreline of 1–10 to 0–8. In the 2006 final Gaoth Dobhair beat them by 1–6 to 0–4 In 2007 they beat local rivals Glenswilly by a scoreline of 0–12 to 1–3. In 2008 they beat Termon, their neighbours on the other side of town, by a scoreline of 2–13 to 1–8 and went on to win a match in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship for the first time, defeating Clonoe O'Rahilly's of Tyrone, the county that had just won that year's All-Ireland title, in the quarter-final. The 2008 team were the first from Donegal to win a match in the Ulster Club SFC for five years. However, Crossmaglen Rangers knocked them out in the semi-final. In 2009 the club achieved the three-in-a-row, defeating Naomh Conaill by a scoreline of 0–13 to 0–6. They would beat the same team in the 2012 final. 2011 brought minor football and hurling titles; in the football, they defeated Ardara 3–7 to 0–3, with Sean McBride, Lee McMonagle and Callum Keaveney getting the goals, while, in the hurling, they made history in July by winning their first ever minor hurling title, defeating Burt in a great contest highlighted by a stunning goal from Kevin Meehan. In 2013, a player was rushed to hospital with serious injuries sustained during a game against Naomh Conaill. They beat Glenswilly again in the 2014 final.

2012 season

Eunan's were crowned Donegal Senior Football Champions in 2012. The decisive goal in the final was scored by young Lee McMonagle in the 50th minute of the game, following a layoff from full-forward Ross Wherity, who received the ball via a long pass from Rory Kavanagh. The teams were level on many occasions until Mark McGowan scored the winning point in freak circumstances. Brendan McDyre of opponents Naomh Conaill attempted to backpass to his goalkeeper Stephen McGrath only for the ball to drift out for a '45'. McGowan stepped up to punish. As the game ended he was photographed celebrating—stooped, wild-eyed with open mouth, sweat-soaked, bare thighs tensed, veins throbbing, mud-stained legs apart and clenched fists turned upwards.

2014 season

The club secured a 15th Donegal Senior Football Championship on 2 November 2014 against local rivals Glenswilly at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, a 0–9 to 0–6 win, with John Haran at 38 years old putting in a man-of-the-match performance in the middle of the field. Manager was Maxi Curran, who was the first manager outside the club's membership in its history.

The under-21 side defeated a Cill Chartha team, with a flurry of late goals in the final of the Donegal Under-21 Football Championship leading to a scoreline of 3–12 to 1–15.

The club's hurlers won their first Donegal Under-16 Hurling Championship title, defeating Buncrana in the final. The under-15 boys experienced both county and provincial success in the seven-a-side og sport tournament. The club's footballers won the Donegal Under-13 Football championship.

2015 season

The under-14 hurlers and footballers both did the double in league and championship. The under-14 footballers won the Feile All-Ireland. The under-14 hurlers won the Feile Shield All-Ireland Title. The under-14 camogie team won the county title and All-Ireland Feile shield. The under-16 and minor footballers won county championships, with wins over Seán Mac Cumhaills and Naomh Conaill respectively.

The club's hurlers won their first Donegal Under-21 Hurling Championship, defeating Setanta.

2016 season

The under-16 footballers won both county (defeating Seán Mac Cumhaills) and provincial titles (defeating Warrenpoint in Dromore 6–10 to 1–6).

2017 season

The club's minor and under-14 footballers both won county championships on September 16, with the club's minor team comfortably beating Cill Chartha by a scoreline of 5–10 to 1–8 and the club's under-14 team accounting for An Clochán Liath by a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-6.

2018 season

The under-21 footballers defeated Glenfin by 5–11 to 1–8 to win the Donegal Under-21 Football Championship.

The under-21 hurlers defeated Buncrana to win the club's second Donegal Under-21 Hurling Championship.

The minor footballers won a record 19th Minor Football Championship, and a third in four years, with a 3–14 to 1–7 victory over Naomh Padraig from Muff under the floodlights in Convoy. The minor hurlers won the Donegal Minor Hurling Championship, defeating An Clochán Liath in the final. The minor ladies' team defeated a Moville side going for minor title number six-in-a-row in a high-scoring game at MacCumhaill Park.

2020s

Ahead of the 2020 season, John Haran, winner of 8 Donegal Senior Football Championships with the club, was named as the club's chairman after five years as the club's vice-chairman. Conall Dunne also took over as treasurer. In November 2020, Rory Kavanagh was appointed manager of the club's senior team, and he won the Co Senior Championship in his first year in charge in 2021.

Notable players

Managers

Years Manager
200?–?? —
c. 20??–2007 Brendan Kilcoyne
2007/8–c. 2012 Eamon O'Boyle
c. 2014–c. 2018 Maxi Curran
c. 2017 Barry Meehan/Eddie Brennan
2018–2020 Richard Thornton
2020–2023 Rory Kavanagh
2023– Barry Meehan

Chairmen

The following men have been chairman of the club.

Years Chairman
1930–?? —
2014?–2019 Cathal Green
2019–present John Haran

Other

Honours

Individual

John Horan gave Fergus Mac Aoidh a GAA President's Award in 2021.

References

  1. ^ McNulty, Chris (7 November 2014). "St Eunan's overcome their 'lost generation' as Maxi Curran's 'new team' win Dr Maguire". Donegal News. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. ^ Ferry, Ryan. "Hurlers rise to Christy Ring challenge". Donegal News. 17 May 2019. Primarily an interview with McVeigh. Hilferty made his debut the previous week. Flood also came on. And "Parky", says McVeigh, is "flying in the corner". Mention is made in the report of work that the "Cathedral town club" are doing in promoting hurling.
  3. ^ "Kavanagh and Dunne: We can upset the odds". Donegal Now. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012. "We are representing Naomh Adhamhnain. We are a proud club too, so we will be going out there and giving it our best." – Rory Kavanagh
  4. ^ Craig, Frank (1 October 2020). "St Eunan's finally looking to 'Parke' 48 years of hurt". Donegal News. p. 58. The 26-year-old already has two SFC medals for the Black and Amber at home and he's picked up a string of titles hurling for his county at various grades… Parke says St Eunan's now see themselves very much as a dual club.
  5. ^ O'Donnell, Ciaran (7 January 2020). "Former stars lead changing of the guard at St Eunan's". Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  6. ^ Cullen, Damian (20 September 2012). "Final countdown". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2012. The strongholds of Gaelic football in the county — particularly since the turn of this century — such as Gweedores Gaoth Dobhair, Letterkennys St Eunans, Ardara, Four Masters from Donegal Town and Naomh Conaill from Glenties have all been well represented on the pitch this summer.
  7. ^ Keys, Colm (12 November 2011). "Colm Keys explores the shocking rift that is threatening to bring Donegal football to its knees". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  8. ^ "All-Irelands for Our Colleges". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Major test for Eunan's minors". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  10. ^ "U.S.A. Tour". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  11. ^ "All-Ireland Club of the Year Award". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Letterkenny wait on DRA". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. ^ "DRA rule on Letterkenny parish rule". Hogan Stand. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  14. ^ "History of the GAA in Letterkenny and St. Eunan's GAA Club". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  15. ^ "First Senior Football Championship Title". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Beginning". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Opening of O'Donnell Park". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Standing the Test of Time". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  19. ^ "First Senior County Title". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  20. ^ "Down memory lane:Super St Eunan's see off Clonoe". Donegal News. 7 May 2020. pp. 50–1. In 2007 they won the Donegal Senior title under the guidance of Brendan Kilcoyne, but then lost out to Cavan Gaels in Ulster by a point, with star man Brendan Devenney missing the game in Kingspan Breffni Park as he was on holidays. Mayo native Eamon O'Boyle took on the reins at O'Donnell Park the following season...
  21. ^ Harkin, Greg (14 May 2013). "Inquiry launched after GAA match ends with players in hospital". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  22. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Glenswilly are Dunne and dusted". Hogan Stand. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  23. ^ "St Eunan's champions again in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  24. ^ "McMonagle's goal turns the tide for Eunan's". Donegal Democrat. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  25. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's survive storm". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  26. ^ Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). "Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  27. ^ Campbell, Peter (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  28. ^ "All-Ireland Final Players". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  29. ^ "Sligo native set to star for Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2006. Brennan, a former Sligo senior panellist, and the man at the centre of a major transfer controversy in 2002 when he first moved to Donegal, has been named at right corner-back.
  30. ^ "Who is Jim Clarke?". 1 October 2018.
  31. ^ "Outstanding Long Serving County Stars". Naomh Adhamhnáin. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  32. ^ Foley, Alan (26 January 2012). "Green checks in at Harps". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2012. I left Sligo the following year and at the time spent a lot of time concentrating on Gaelic football," Greene, an IT Sligo graduate, added. "With St Eunan's, we had won two successive county championships and managed to make it three-in-a-row in 2009. I was also in the Donegal panel that year for a few NFL games under John Joe Doherty and played soccer locally with Letterkenny Rovers.
  33. ^ "Galway blow as Fallon to switch codes". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 11 February 1998. Donegal also selected their team last night, and they handed league debuts to Martin Bonnar from Na Rossa, home club of new manager Declan Bonner, and John Haran of St Eunan's, Letterkenny.
  34. ^ "Death of former Donegal senator". The Irish Times. 29 September 1998.
  35. ^ "The Best XV I have Played Against: Sean McEwen". Donegal News. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  36. ^ Small, Daragh (31 July 2015). "Friday interview: Galway going in right direction, says McGettigan". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Award for McVeigh". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 18 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  38. ^ McNulty, Chris (10 November 2014). "St Eunan's 1–9 Roslea 0–6". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 10 November 2014. Rafferty put the cherry on the St Eunan's cake after working a neat one-two with Cillian Morrison – perhaps better known as the Cork City FC player – who came on as a late sub.
  39. ^ Walsh, Harry (21 December 2014). "Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel". Donegal News. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  40. ^ "Two final meetings that shaped strands of history". Donegal Democrat. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2012. …in 2007 when St Eunan's won a frantic first round third game on their way to a first of a string of successive county championships. After Leo McLoone scored 4–1 in Glenties, Brendan Kilcoyne's team came out fighting and the play-off win sent their history on an upward trend.
  41. ^ Craig, Frank (3 October 2019). "Thornton: We need to go after this from the very start". Donegal News. p. 74. Notes that Richard Thornton, team manager in 2019, was part of Maxi Curran's backroom team in 2018.
  42. ^ "Sadness following the passing of Paddy MacIntyre". Donegal News. 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020. [Paddy MacIntyre] was also a member of the backroom team of the St Eunan's senior footballers under the joint management of Barry Meehan and Eddie Brennan in 2017.
  43. ^ Craig, Frank (10 September 2020). "Naomh Conaill face a tough St Eunan's test". Donegal News. p. 68. Opposite number Thornton, a Coalisland native, is into his third year now with the St Eunan's senior footballers. The first of those, 2018, was as assistant to Maxi Curran. He stepped up to the helm last season… He was no stranger to the local scene here in the county, even before then, having helped out as Donegal trainer under Rory Gallagher back in 2017.
  44. ^ "Kavanagh named as new St Eunan's senior team manager". Donegal News. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020. He succeeds Coalisland man, Richie Thornton, who was at the helm for the last two seasons. Thornton had been assistant to Maxi Curran for the 2017/2018 season.
  45. ^ "Meehan confirmed as new St Eunan's manager". Donegal News. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  46. ^ "GAA President's Award winners announced". Hogan Stand. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Two Donegal men scoop GAA President's Awards". Donegal News. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
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