Winstons now a step ahead of the rest in Donegal senior club medal list

When winning the Donegal senior championship a few weeks ago, Oran Winston created a new record for the family as he became the fourth generation member of the Winston familly to win a Donegal senior medal.

He was following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Barney Winston, who was midfield on the Dungloe side that won the Donegal SFC in 1936. A Roscommon man from Ballymoe, Barney came to Dungloe as member of An Garda Siochana. He married and lived in Dungloe for a time before moving to to Letterkenny and his son, the famous Joe 'Dodo' Winston was born there and became one of the finest forwards in Donegal GAA. He went on to win Donegal senior medals in 1967, 1969 and 1972 as well as Ulster senior championship medals with Donegal in 1972 and 1974.

Joe and Kevin Winston

A freetaker of renown, Joe was leading scorer in the Ulster championship of 1972 with 0-26 from the four games. He managed Donegal at minor and U-21 level.

The baton was then passed on to Joe's son, Kevin, who won Donegal senior medals in 1999, 2001 and 2008. Kevin also won a Hogan Cup medal with St Jarlath's, Tuam.

Up until this year's Donegal final, the Winstons would have been among a number who were in the "three generation group".

They included:
The McDermotts in Ballyshannon, John (1929), Jackie (1951) and Tommy winning his senior medals in 1986 and 1987.

Next on the list are the Kanes of Ballyshannon - Seamus (1937), Teddy (1973 with St Joseph's) and Paul (1994)

The Divers in Gaoth Dobhair come next with Tom (1941), John (1961) and Thomas and Sean (2002).

The McGeehins from St Eunan's are on the list through Peadar, Michael and Ronan and Eoin.

And the McHughs - Jim (1952 with Killybegs), Martin (1980, 1985, 1989, 1993), James (1985, 1989, 1993), and Mark, Ryan, and Eoin (2017) with Kilcar.

But on county final day in 2024 Oran Winston took the Winstons into new territory when he was part of the St Eunan's team that defeated Dungloe and they are now in the unique position of being the only member of the "four generation group" in the county.