Potential Donegal SFC final replay dilemma for Mexico-bound county contingent 

A draw in Sunday’s Donegal club SFC final could have potential consequences for Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill’s senior county players.

Boosted by a €150,000 holiday grant from Croke Park for reaching July’s All-Ireland final, Jim McGuinness’ Donegal squad and their partners are due to depart for Cancun, Mexico on Friday week.

However, if the weekend’s domestic showpiece at O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny ends in stalemate, then players on both sides would be in real danger of missing out on that trip. 

Naomh Conaill’s Finnbarr Roarty, Kevin McGettigan, Eoghan McGettigan, Charlie McGuinness, Odhran Doherty and Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí were all part of the Donegal squad in 2026, as was All-Star nominee Ciaran Thompson. 

However, the latter’s season was brought to a premature end after he sustained an ACL tear in that All-Ireland final loss to Kerry. 

Meanwhile, Gaoth Dobhair’s Donegal involvement included Daire Ó Baoill, Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride and Neil McGee. 

It appeared as though the latter had called time on his club career but he was sprung late on in Ronan Mac Niallais’ team’s semi-final win over St Michael’s. 

Odhran MacFadden Ferry was also part of the 2025 Donegal panel but he hasn’t featured for Gaoth Dobhair this season, having recently decided to return to Australia.

Sunday’s final will go to extra time if it ends all square after 60 minutes. But if there is still a stalemate after that, the replay is provisionally fixed for Saturday, October 18. 

And with Donegal scheduled to head to Mexico the day before, that could yet present a very unfortunate dilemma.