Donegal GAA launch new jersey with optimism ahead of 2024

Donegal GAA have launched their new county jersey for the 2024 season in Donegal Town.

The official sponsors - the Abbey Hotel, Circet, MCR, Pod-Trak and O’Neills - all feature on the new jersey.

On the last run of jerseys for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the name of every club in the county was embedded into the fabric. This time, a lot of work has gone into making a jersey that recognises the heritage of Donegal. 

“Not alone will our hurlers and footballers wear the jersey with pride, but every Donegal supporter at home and away will be anxious to get their hands on the latest design,” Donegal County Board chairman Fergus McGee said.

“The jerseys went on sale this morning in sports outlets throughout the country, and are also available to buy online through the O’Neills online store. 

“The faded image of the crest on the front of the jersey will increase the great pride we all have in our county and no doubt will inspire our footballers and hurlers. With the county’s crest at the heart of the design, our sponsors and supporters can be happy with a jersey that has our crest and heritage at the heart of it

"The wavy bars represent the green hills and golden sands and, by inference the surrounding sea, while the small shield in the centre, with its royal ermine, stands for the ancient Kingdom of Aileach and the cross of the O'Donnells, signifies the two components of the County which are Inishowen and Tir Chonaill. 

“I would recommend to anyone who hasn't done so yet to do two things. Go to Doon Rock beside Doonwell to see where the O'Donnell Chieftains were inaugurated from the 1460s onward. Go to An Grianan Aileach which has long been identified as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and one of the royal sites of Gaelic Ireland These two sites are guaranteed to reignite your love for Donegal.”

“Everyone who wears the new jersey in the coming months and years will demonstrate the deep grá and pride we all have in our county be they players or supporters. I would like to thank our main sponsors who appear on the jersey. 

“This is the second highly positive event I've attended this week. The Golf Classic on Monday in the Rosapenna Hotel and the Jersey launch today in the Abbey Hotel.”

The chairman paid tribute to everyone involved in the fundraising golf classic in Downings, which was organised by Martin McHuigh and Donal Barrett, where 29 teams played.

McGee added that Donegal has plenty to look forward to in their new kit:  “Our senior footballers under the guiding hand of Jim McGuinness hopefully getting back to where Donegal Football belongs on the national stage. 

“Our senior hurlers Mickey McCann hopefully going one step further this year in the Nickey Rackard Cup. A new jersey launch hopefully heralds a new beginning and with the managers we now have in place at senior, U20 and U17 levels in both hurling and football, 2024 will be a good year for Donegal.”