The 2024 Donegal Senior Football Championship was the 102nd official edition of Donegal GAA's premier Gaelic football tournament for senior graded clubs in County Donegal. 16 teams competed, with the winner representing Donegal in the 2024 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.
The favourite to take the Donegal SFC title was two-time defending champion, bidding for a third consecutive title, Naomh Conaill.Ferry, Ryan. "Naomh Conaill chasing more history". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 53.
St Eunan's ultimately won the title.
Team changes The following teams changed division since the 2023 championship season.
To SFC Promoted from 2023 Donegal IFC Na Dúnaibh (IFC Champions)
From SFC Relegated to 2024 Donegal IFC Milford
Teams TeamCaptain(s)Manager(s)Most recent titleLast year An Clochán Liath Conor O'DonnellFerry, Ryan. "Dungloe start off against Glenfin". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 50. Dessie Gallagher 1958 SFC preliminary quarter-finalist Aodh Ruadh Eamonn McGrathFerry, Ryan. "McLaughlin answers Aodh Ruadh's call". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 48. Maurice McLaughlin 1998 SFC quarter-finalist Ard an Rátha Kevin WhyteFerry, Ryan. "Ardara hope they have timed run right". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 48. Damian Devaney 2004 SFC quarter-finalist Cill Chartha Eoin McHughBonnar, Dáire. "[Ryan] McHugh missing for opening Kilcar games". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 52. Michael Hegarty 2017 SFC quarter-finalist Cloich Cheann Fhaola Darren McGeeverFerry, Ryan. "Cloughaneely short crucial personnel". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 49. Denis Doohan SFC preliminary quarter-finalist Four Masters Caolan LoughneyFerry, Ryan. "Survival still the aim for Four Masters". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 50. Kevin Sinclair 2003 SFC preliminary quarter-finalist Gaoth Dobhair Niall FrielFerry, Ryan. "Different feel to Gaoth Dobhair side". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 51. Rónán Mac Niallais 2018 SFC finalist Glenfin Ciaran BradyFerry, Ryan. "Home games key for Glenfin". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 51. Frank Ward SFC preliminary quarter-finalist Glenswilly Jack GallagherFerry, Ryan. "Glenswilly 'deep in the area of transition'". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 52. Gary McDaid 2016 SFC quarter-finalist Na Cealla Beaga Jack McSharryFerry, Ryan. "'Championship is where it's at'". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 53. Pauric Bonner 1996 SFC relegation semi-finalist Na Dúnaibh Ben McNuttBonnar, Dáire. "Downings continue remarkable rise". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 49. Maxi Curran IFC winner Naomh Conaill Ultan DohertyFerry, Ryan. "Naomh Conaill chasing more history". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 53. Martin Regan 2023 SFC winner Seán Mac Cumhaills Oisín Gallen Gary WilsonFerry, Ryan. "Wilson doesn't see 'any big gulf' in SFC". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 54. 1977 SFC semi-finalist St Eunan's Kieran TobinBonnar, Dáire. "St Eunan's are handed a difficult draw". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 54. Barry Meehan 2021 SFC semi-finalist St Michael's Liam Paul FerryFerry, Ryan. "Brighter outlook for St Michael's with Langan fit". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 55. Cathal Sweeney & Raymond McLaughlin SFC relegation semi-finalist St Naul's Ian Campbell Stephen Griffin (player–manager)Bonnar, Dáire. "Griffin's St Naul's nearing full strength". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 55. SFC relegation finalist
Format Michael Hegarty was critical of the format, which involved a league phase consisting of 32 games played on four different weekends, to reduce the number of clubs left in the competition by four.
League stage +TeamQualification or relegation1Gleann tSúilí44006745 +228Advance to quarter-finals2St Michael's44005337 +1683Naomh Conaill43107530 +4564Cill Chartha43106946 +2365An Clochán Liath43105736 +216Advance to preliminary quarter-finals6St Eunan's43105636 +2067Four Masters43105436 +1868Gaoth Dobhair42204238 +449Seán Mac Cumhaills42205662 -6410Na Cealla Beaga41304854 -6211Ard an Rátha41304864 -16212Na Dúnaibh41303956 -17213Gleann Fhinne41304060 -202Advance to relegation playoff14Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon41304369 -26215Cloich Cheann Fhaola40403472 -38016St Naul's40403373 -400
Knockout stage
Preliminary quarter-finals Teams ranked 5–12 were paired up based on league phase ranking for the preliminary quarter-finals, which were played at neutral venues.
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final An Clochán Liath had not played in any final in recent decades. The score at half-time was four points a piece. In the second half, an effort by Niall O'Donnell of St Eunan's rebounded off the post and Conor O'Donnell Jnr was there to hit the ball into the back of the net for what proved to be the game's opening goal. An Clochán Liath then received the benefit of a controversial penalty decision, which resulted in Shaun Patton's concession of the game's second goal. St Eunan's – the more experienced team though – ultimately won this decider, with Ciarán Moore, Eoin McGeehin and O'Donnell Jnr adding on scores towards the end. In doing so, the club secured a 16th SFC title to once again move ahead of Gaoth Dobhair, left trailing on 15.
An Clochán Liath followed Glenswilly in losing an SFC final two years after winning the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship.
Ulster Senior Club Football Championship
St Eunan's advanced to the 2024 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, losing in the preliminary round to Tyrone champions Errigal Ciarán, who went on to reach the All-Ireland Club Championship final.
Relegation
Relegation playoff semi-finals
Relegation playoff final
Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh Shane O'Donnell of St Eunan's picked up the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh, having been selected as Player of the Donegal Championship 2024.
References