When Donegal almost conquered the Kingdom in the All-Ireland Junior ‘Home’ final

In many ways, it’s something that has been forgotten with time.

Seventy years ago this weekend, Donegal took on Kerry in the All-Ireland Junior ‘Home’ final at Croke Park. In the end, Donegal would go down on a 3-6 to 1-6 scoreline in front of 13,000 spectators on the Jones’ Road, with the winners then progressing to the All-Ireland Junior final.

Donegal certainly did themselves proud, albeit, in defeat. Beforehand, the mood in the north-west was one of excitement as The Donegal Democrat of September 10, 1954 showed: “Ten thousand Donegal men, women, boys and girls. will leave the County on Saturday and early on Sunday morning in the greatest exodus for over two years to see the reprentatives of Tir Ghonaill throw down the gauntlet to the mighty men of Kerry in the All-Ireland junior home final at Croke Park, on Sunday afternoon.

Donegal had reached the final of the same competition in 1933, losing 2-15 to 2-2 against Mayo at Croke Park. All sportsmen agree that this year, Donegal have a good team and one capable of succeeding where they failed in 1933 against Mayo, also in the home final,” the Democrat added.

“The lure and challenge of the championship exceeds that of all other competitions and the rise of the 'underdog’ in the challenge to the great, is something that always gives any game a glamour that nothing else can. Hence, on Sunday next, when Donegal line out on the green sward of Croke Park, they will get a tremendous welcome, not alone by all Ulster, but also by those present from other parts of Ireland as well.”

“On their way to the final, Kerry defeated Tipperary 1-11 to 1-5 at Listowel; Cork 1-9 to 2-2 at Kenmare and Dublin 2-7 to 0-9 at Killarney.

“Without question, the Kerry team to do duty in this home final is an excellent one and one that will take some beating,” the Democrat added. “Although Kerry's record is good, Donegal's is a more imposing one, both in Ulster and in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway.

“Donegal played five games to get to this stage, three at home and two away. They scored a total of nine goals and 39 points, against 4 goals and 22 points recorded against them, a great tribute both to the defence, goalkeeper, and attack.

“In their first-round game, they defeated Fermanagh, 1-7 to 0-3 at Glenties; at Ballybay, they drew with Monaghan, 1-6 to 2-3. In the return game at Ballyshannon, they defeated the Oriel men 3-10 to 1-1. In the Ulster final at Irvinestown, they accounted for Tyrone 1-7 to 0-8 and in the All-Ireland semi-final at Ballyshannon, against Galway, they scored 3-9 to the visitors 1-7.

“This team has ability in plenty. Each member is imbued with a burning incentive to bring the first All-Ireland to the county, and all going well, I see no reason, whatever, why we should not on Sunday evening, be celebrating a success that has for almost half a century been worked and striven for by succeeding generations of Donegal men. The flag of Tir Chonaill and the flag of Ulster was never sullied by Donegal and all will hope that it will be carried more gloriously than ever in Croke Park on Sunday.

“It would be wrong to assume, however, that Donegal's success is a foregone conclusion. Indeed it is not, and it cannot be won without the hardest struggle yet. We do not know but all will hope, that Croke Park nerves will not affect the team in the opening stages. If Donegal are able to regard this as just another game to be played and win, then all will be well, for they will have tremendous encouragement from the sideline, stands and terracing.

“They must take the bit in their teeth from the throw-in, playing to the plan which they now all knew so well, and they must never relax a second until the final whistle has sounded.”

The Donegal team was made up of: Jackie McDermott (Ballyshannon), Raymond Bryson (Castlefin), Frank O'Donnell (Carrick), John Smith (Carndonagh), Hughie Boyle (Gweebarra), Jim Boyle (Dungloe), Peadar McGeenan captain (St Eunan's). Hughie Coyle (Gweedore), Matt Regan (Ballyshannon), Jim McGettigan (St. Eunan's), Conall MeCauley (Dunkineely - Killybegs), Dominic Murray (Gweebarra), Paddy Coyle (Gweedore) Frank Farrelly (St. Eunan's), Willie Gallagher (Gweedore). Anton Rodgers (Gweedore) was on standby for injury doubt McGettigan. The other reserves were: Jim Thomas (Donegal Town.), Danny McGill (Glenties), Dan Bonner (Gweebarra), John McDonagh (St Eunan's), John Gallagher (Gweedore); Peter Sweeney (Dunkineely); Paddy Maguire (Ardara), Harry Blake (St Eunan's), Henry Doherty (Carndonagh), Seamus Breslin (Ardara), Paddy Carr (Gweedore).

However, luck would not be on Donegal’s side as they lost both McGettigan and Jim ‘Cookie’ Boyle to first half injuries in the final. They went in 1-3 to 0-6 down at half-time, although has played some great football.

“The lovely football and exemplary spirit of sportsmanship of the Ulster champions, who throughout the game were awarded 25 frees to 18 conceded, earned an unstinted admiration from their huge following.

“His head swathed in bandages, following his severe injury in the early stages, Jim Boyle exemplified the unconquerable spirit of the Tír Conaill team by playing on gallantly until he received a second knock and was forced to retire. He was replaced by Peter Sweeney, Dunkineely, who was playing well, when, early in the second half, he retired with a broken collarbone and Boyle immediately took his place on the team again.”

Donegal hit the crossbar twice in the second half and were hamstrung by the loss of place-kicker McGettigan who was “tackled hard” and had to be replaced in the third minute by Gweedore’s Anton Rodgers, but Kerry’s abilities to grab goals proved vital in the end. Brendan Gavin, Eddie Dowling and Tom Collins hit Kerry’s goals, while Paddy Coyle was the Donegal goalscorer, with an effort that was adjudged to have crept over the line. Kerry, as per the competition rules, would then go onto defeat London in the Junior final in Tralee, 1-7 to 1-5

“All credit to the Kingdom boys for this great win which, on the day's play, was certainly their due but having said this, one must qualify it by adding that the margin in their favour at the end, was decidedly flattering,” Irish Independent noted. “ What bonnie fighters the Northerners proved to be. Their determination won the admiration of the big attendance, while they needed only a little luck with their shooting to have made the issue much closer.”

“Kerry mentors made no secret of the fact it was the best team to represent the Kingdom in 10 years,” the report added. “And that Donegal was the first team capable of outplaying Kerry in fielding and positional play. Donegal have much to be proud of and the result could have gone a different way.”

The Donegal panel and county board made their way afterwards to the North Star Hotel, where a function was held in their honour by the Comann Tír Chonaill - the Donegal Association.

Mr Frank Sheehy, chairman of the Kerry County Board, made a brief visit. He said: “I want to congratulate the Donegal team on the magnificent game they played against Kerry today. We expected to be met by a team of Northern standards; we expected to see Donegal trying to walk the ball into the net or almost with the head but what a rude awakening we got.

“Donegal are the first Northern team - including Armagh - who have been able to play traditional football - and better than Kerry. We had our hearts in our mouths.”

Sean McGinley, Gweedore, replied in both Irish and English: “I can assure Mr Sheehy that not only will be we challenging Kerry juniors, but we will be challenging Kerry seniors. Before long I believe we have the material not alone to come back in the National League but also in the All-Ireland.”