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St Eunan's GAA

Donegal-based Gaelic games club

Summary

Donegal-based Gaelic games club

FieldValue
club gaaSt Eunan's GAA
irishCLG Naomh Adhamhnáin
crestSt. Eunans GAA Logo.jpg
founded1930
provinceUlster
countyDonegal
nicknameEunans, The Black and Amber, The Cathedral Town Men
coloursAmber and Black
groundsO'Donnell Park
coordinates
l24
l313
f316
h32
pattern_la_shoulder_stripes_black_stripes
pattern_b_blackhoophigh
pattern_ra_shoulder_stripes_black_stripes
pattern_sh_adidasgold
pattern_so_color_3_stripes_gold
leftarmFFA500
bodyFFA500
rightarmFFA500
shorts000000
socks000000

For the school of education, see St Eunan's College. For the Christian churches, see [St. Eunan's Cathedral (disambiguation)

|}} St Eunans GAA ( ; 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. 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.

St Eunan's overcame a controversial penalty decision, which resulted in Shaun Patton's concession of the game's second goal,, to win the 2024 Donegal SFC final. In doing so, the club secured a 16th SFC title to once again move ahead of Gaoth Dobhair, left trailing on 15.

St Eunan's opted to forego the club's right to a replay as a result of substitute Enda McCormick's illegal point in a 2025 Donegal Senior Football Championship game against Termon, doing so in the belief that it "would cause disruption to the championship and risk undermining its integrity". The approach of St Eunan's to this injustice was described as "a touch of class" and "handled with class". The incident brought comparisons with the 2023 All-Ireland Club final when Kilmacud Crokes did a similar thing to Glen. St Eunan's players pointed out the error to officials, but to no avail.

Notable players

;Football :A–F

:G–L

  • Conor Gibbons — has three senior championship medals with the club
  • Ciaran Greene — part of the 2000s three-in-a-row team and also a player of the foreign game
  • John Hannigan
  • John Haran
  • Seamus Hoare — goalkeeper with four Railway Cup medals
  • Michael Houston — All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship medal with Thomond College, Limerick
  • Rory Kavanagh — 2007 National Football League and 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winner
  • Brendan Kilcoyne — Sligo player
  • James Larkin (Independent Fianna Fáil) — won five senior championship medals with the club

:M

:N–Z

Managers

YearsManager
200?–??
20??–2007Brendan Kilcoyne
2007/8– 2012title=Down memory lane:Super St Eunan's see off Clonoework=Donegal Newsdate=7 May 2020pages=50–1quote=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...}}
2014– 2018Maxi Curran
2017Barry Meehan/Eddie Brennan
2018–2020first=Franklast=Craigtitle=Thornton: We need to go after this from the very startwork=Donegal Newsdate=3 October 2019page=74}} Notes that Richard Thornton, team manager in 2019, was part of Maxi Curran's backroom team in 2018.
2020–2023Rory Kavanagh
2023–2025Barry Meehan
2025–Kieran Donnelly

Chairmen

The following men have been chairman of the club.

YearsChairman
1930–??
2014?–2019Cathal Green
2019–2025first=Ciaranlast=O'Donnellurl=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/former-stars-lead-changing-of-the-guard-at-st-eunans/title=Former stars lead changing of the guard at St Eunan'sdate=7 January 2020access-date=7 January 2020}}
2025–Eugene Duffy

Other

  • Michael Houston, former manager
  • Michael McGeehin, former coach

Honours

;Football

  • Donegal Senior Football Championship: 1948, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1983, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2024
  • Donegal Junior Football Championship: 1980
  • Donegal Senior B (Reserve) Football Championship: 1992, 1996, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
  • Donegal Under-21 Football Championship: 1976, 1977, 1990, 1997, 2003, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021
  • Donegal Minor Football Championship: 1931, 1938, 1941, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018

;Ladies'

  • Donegal Senior Ladies' Football Championship: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Ulster Ladies' Senior Club Football Championship: 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998

;Hurling

  • Donegal Senior Hurling Championship: 1972, 2021
  • Donegal Intermediate Hurling Championship: 2001, 2025
  • Donegal Junior Hurling Championship: 2000, 2023
  • Donegal Minor Hurling Championship: 2011, 2018, 2022

;Individual

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

References

References

  1. (10 November 2012). "Kavanagh and Dunne: We can upset the odds". Donegal Now.
  2. Craig, Frank. (1 October 2020). "St Eunan's finally looking to 'Parke' 48 years of hurt". [[Donegal News]].
  3. Cullen, Damian. (20 September 2012). "Final countdown". [[The Irish Times]].
  4. Keys, Colm. (12 November 2011). "Colm Keys explores the shocking rift that is threatening to bring Donegal football to its knees". Independent News & Media.
  5. "All-Irelands for Our Colleges". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  6. (11 December 2008). "Major test for Eunan's minors". [[Johnston Press]].
  7. "U.S.A. Tour". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  8. "All-Ireland Club of the Year Award". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  9. (25 January 2013). "Letterkenny wait on DRA". [[Hogan Stand]].
  10. (29 March 2013). "DRA rule on Letterkenny parish rule". Hogan Stand.
  11. "History of the GAA in Letterkenny and St. Eunan's GAA Club". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  12. "First Senior Football Championship Title". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  13. "Beginning". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  14. "Opening of O'Donnell Park". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  15. "Standing the Test of Time". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  16. "First Senior County Title". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  17. Harkin, Greg. (April 2015}} In 2013, a player was rushed to hospital with serious injuries sustained during a game against [[Naomh Conaill CLCG). "Inquiry launched after GAA match ends with players in hospital". [[Independent News & Media]].
  18. (2 November 2014). "Donegal SFC final: Glenswilly are Dunne and dusted". Hogan Stand.
  19. (2 November 2014). "St Eunan's champions again in Donegal". [[RTÉ Sport]].
  20. (4 November 2012). "McMonagle's goal turns the tide for Eunan's". [[Donegal Democrat]].
  21. Keys, Colm. (5 November 2012). "Eunan's survive storm". Independent News & Media.
  22. Keys, Colm. (5 November 2012). "Eunan's accept Glenties gift in freak finish to Donegal final". Independent News & Media.
  23. McNulty, Chris. (7 November 2014). "St Eunan's overcome their 'lost generation' as Maxi Curran's 'new team' win Dr Maguire". [[Donegal News]].
  24. Campbell, Peter. (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". [[RTÉ Sport]].
  25. Campbell, Peter. (13 October 2024). "St Eunan's hold off An Clochán Liath in Donegal decider". [[RTÉ Sport]].
  26. Connaughton, Gary. (16 September 2025). "Donegal Club Release Classy Statement As They Opt Against 16th Player Appeal". [[Balls.ie]].
  27. Brennan, Daniel. (16 September 2025). "Breaking: St Eunan's will NOT protest Termon result in Donegal SFC". [[Donegal Daily]].
  28. (16 September 2025). "Donegal champions St Eunan's decide against appealing the latest 16th player controversy". [[The42.ie]].
  29. O'Kane, Cahair. (16 September 2025). "St Eunan's opt not to appeal Termon result over risk of 'undermining integrity' of Donegal championship: Letterkenny club felt they would have been granted a replay after Termon's injury-time equaliser was scored with 16 men on the field, but have opted not to pursue the issue". [[The Irish News]].
  30. (16 September 2025). "St Eunan's opt against objection to Termon defeat". [[Donegal News]].
  31. (16 September 2025). "St Eunan's could object to Termon's '16th man' win". [[Hogan Stand]].
  32. Foley, Alan. (14 September 2025). "St Eunan's consider appeal following SFC preliminary quarter-final loss to Termon". [[Donegal Live]].
  33. (12 January 2006). "Sligo native set to star for Donegal". Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
  34. "All-Ireland Final Players". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  35. (1 October 2018). "Who is Jim Clarke?".
  36. Foley, Alan. (26 January 2012). "Green checks in at Harps". Johnston Press.
  37. (11 February 1998). "Galway blow as Fallon to switch codes". Independent News & Media.
  38. "Outstanding Long Serving County Stars". Naomh Adhamhnáin.
  39. (29 September 1998). "Death of former Donegal senator". [[The Irish Times]].
  40. (18 May 2021). "The Best XV I have Played Against: Sean McEwen". [[Donegal News]].
  41. (21 June 2020). "Death announced of James 'Gouldie' McGettigan". [[Donegal News]].
  42. (18 October 2012). "Award for McVeigh". Johnston Press.
  43. Walsh, Harry. (21 December 2014). "Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel". [[Donegal News]].
  44. 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.
  45. (29 October 2012). "Two final meetings that shaped strands of history". [[Donegal Democrat]].
  46. (7 May 2020). "Down memory lane:Super St Eunan's see off Clonoe". [[Donegal News]].
  47. (12 April 2020). "Sadness following the passing of Paddy MacIntyre". [[Donegal News]].
  48. Craig, Frank. (3 October 2019). "Thornton: We need to go after this from the very start". [[Donegal News]].
  49. Craig, Frank. (10 September 2020). "Naomh Conaill face a tough St Eunan's test". [[Donegal News]].
  50. (13 November 2020). "Kavanagh named as new St Eunan's senior team manager". [[Donegal News]].
  51. (30 November 2023). "Meehan confirmed as new St Eunan's manager". [[Donegal News]].
  52. (9 December 2025). "Donnelly appointed St Eunan's manager". [[Hogan Stand]].
  53. (8 December 2025). "Former Fermanagh boss Donnelly takes charge of Eunan's". [[Donegal News]].
  54. O'Donnell, Ciaran. (7 January 2020). "Former stars lead changing of the guard at St Eunan's".
  55. (4 December 2025). "Eugene takes on St Eunan's Chair". [[Donegal News]].
  56. (26 February 2021). "GAA President's Award winners announced". Hogan Stand.
  57. (26 February 2021). "Two Donegal men scoop GAA President's Awards". [[Donegal News]].
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