CLG Na Cealla Beaga

History

Founded in 1924, the club have had teams break up several times in their history. They play football only, though — in the past — played hurling too.

From 1967, the team played at the coastal venue Fintra Park, subsequently renamed McDevitt Park; that year Donegal and Mayo played a game to mark its opening.

They contested the Donegal SFC decider seven times between 1988 and 1996, winning five of them. The second final of the seven was a loss to Naomh Columba in 1990, the third a 2–11 to 2–9 victory over Red Hughs in 1991.

In the midst of this successful run, the club reached the final of the 1991 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. Denis Carberry was team captain that year.

Forward Paul "Feet" Murrin was part of the team that won consecutive Donegal SFCs in 1995 and 1996, becoming one of the county's most recognisable sportsmen.

By 2002 the club had no senior representatives on the county team. The club were thrown out of the 2002 Donegal Senior Football Championship at the semi-final stage after breaking the rules.

They came from nowhere to reach the final of the 2010 Donegal Senior Football Championship, with Manus Boyle even coming out of retirement at the age of 44. But Naomh Conaill defeated them, following a series of injuries in advance that made competing in that game all the more difficult for the Peter McGinley-managed team. A further final appearance came in the 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship; this time they lost to Glenswilly. Benny Boyle captained the club in that game.

Notable players

• Manus Boyle — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner
• Shane Boyle — 2006 Ulster MFC winner
• Séamus Coleman — now a professional soccer player
• Barry Cunningham — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner
• John Cunningham — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner
• Eoghan Bán Gallagher — 2018 and 2019 Ulster SFC winner
• John Bán Gallagher — 1990 Ulster SFC winner
• Hugh McFadden — 2014, 2018 and 2019 Ulster SFC winner
• Peter McGinley
• Barry McGowan — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner
• Jason Noctor
• Matthew Smyth
• Jimmy White

Managers

Honours

• Ulster Senior Club Football Championship runner-up: 1991
• Donegal Senior Football Championship winner: 1952, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996
• Donegal Senior Football Championship runner-up: 1990,
• Donegal Intermediate Football Championship winner: 1979
• Donegal Junior Football Championship winner: 1976

References

References

1. "killybegsgaa".
2. "Roll of honour".
3. Craig, Frank. (16 July 2020). "Kilcar host fierce rivals Killybegs". [[Donegal News]].
4. (July 2017). "Club history".
5. (27 May 2020). "Incredible photo of old GAA pitch with the most beautiful backdrop". [[Hogan Stand]].
6. (14 October 2016). "Killybegs 1991, one of the greatest Donegal teams".
7. Campbell, Peter. (5 November 2021). "Killybegs winners of greatest ever Donegal senior championship in 1996".
8. Craig, Frank. (30 April 2020). "A Grand Old Team To Play For: When the boys from Killybegs battled to the Ulster decider". [[Donegal News]].
9. (15 February 2015). "Declan Boyle appointed Finn Harps Under-17 manager". [[Donegal News]].
10. McNulty, Chris. (16 February 2020). "Death mourned of former sporting ace Paul 'Feet' Murrin".
11. (16 February 2020). "Regretted and untimely death of one of Donegal's best known sportsmen".
12. (16 May 2002). "County call: Donegal". [[Irish Independent]].
13. Foley, Cliona. (19 September 2002). "Furious Killybegs thrown out of championship". [[Irish Independent]].
14. Boyle, Donnchadh. (2 October 2010). "Boyle looks to defy logic and inspire injury-hit Killybegs to shock title success". [[Irish Independent]].
15. (4 October 2010). "McLoone proves too hot". [[Irish Independent]].
16. McNulty, Chris. (5 October 2013). "SFC: Jason Noctor and Killybegs aiming to make up for 'wasted chance'". [[Donegal News]].
17. (21 October 2013). "Donegal SFC final: Murphy delivers man-of-the-match display". [[Hogan Stand]].
18. McNulty, Chris. (18 October 2013). "Home is where the heart is for Killybegs captain Benny Boyle". [[Donegal News]].
19. Craig, Frank. (16 April 2019). "Boyle's New York State of Mind". [[Donegal News]].
20. McNulty, Chris. (18 July 2015). "Donegal's 1990 Ulster winners will be honoured tomorrow — here is their story".
21. Moran, Sean. (9 July 1997). "[P. J.] McGowan calls it a day with Donegal". [[The Irish Times]].
22. Foley, Alan. (8 January 2009). "The heroes of '92 - Where are they now?". [[Donegal Democrat]].
23. McNulty, Chris. (19 October 2013). "Manager's view: Martin 'Slua' Boyle and Killybegs took fuel from League hammering by Malin". [[Donegal News]].
24. Campbell, Peter. (11 November 2018). "Killybegs manager John Cunningham gives his reaction after his side defeated Naomh Brid".
25. (6 September 2019). "Breaking Ball: Donegal Club Championships 2019". [[Donegal News]].
26. Craig, Frank. (20 August 2020). "Pressure on both sides at Rosses Park". [[Donegal News]].
27. McNulty, Chris. (23 July 2021). "Naomh Conaill cruise against Killybegs to secure Division 1 title".
28. Comack, Tom. (6 April 2022). "Next up Naomh Conaill for Killybegs' new management team: Shane Molloy and Antoine O'Hara's tenure at their local club got off to a winning start against Glenswilly and this Saturday they welcome the Division 1 champions to Fintra".
29. Breslin, Conor. (21 January 2024). "Pauric Bonner takes charge of Killybegs senior team for 2024 season".