Gaoth Dobhair add three more legendary names to their illustrious Hall of Fame 

Gaoth Dobhair GAA’s great Hall of Fame has got a little more crowded following the recent induction of another three former stars of the club from a bygone era. 

SFC-winning captain Owenie Beag McBride, star forward of the 1960s and ‘70s, Donal Breslin and the club’s former number one netminder from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, Packie McGinley have all been inducted into that elite and special category.

All three made the step up at the club’s annual presentation and award night in the Magheragallon clubhouse on Saturday night.

Owenie Beag and Donal Breslin played in the famous green jersey more or less the same era. They both also played in the green and gold of Donegal.

Owenie had his first outing for Donegal back in 1958 and his last senior inter-county appearance was six seasons later in 1964. 

All of his outings with Donegal were in the Dr McKenna and Dr Lagan Cups and though part of the squad for many games, he never got to saviour senior championship football. 

“Eoinie Beag was a great centre half- back, one of the best in the county at the time and the mystery was how he didn’t get to play more games with Donegal,” says Donal Breslin.

“The selection of teams was different back in those days; it was basically selected by a committee made up of the main officers of the county board and a selector from the five divisions.

“The late Jimi Mhici Ó Gallachóir was the representative from the west division and often told me there could be up to 12 men around the table when they were selecting the team.

“And every man on the committee was fighting to get players from their areas on the team so as a result the best 15 did not always take the field. 

“Eoinie had bother with one of his knees too at the time and often had to get an injection before a game so he could play.  

“He was the captain when we beat Dungloe in the 1961 senior championship final and he also was on the 1970 and ‘73 Division One League winning team. 

“He won a number of Comórtas Péile Na Gaeltachta All-Ireland titles with the club too and played well into the late 1970s.”

Decorated 

Donal Breslin was one of the most decorated Gaoth Dobhair club football players of his era. 

Along with his older brother Cormac, he was on the first Donegal team to reach an Ulster final in 1963.

Donal played at right corner forward in that final and Cormac played at right half forward. Down, with many of their All-Ireland winning teams of 1960 and ‘61, were still in their prime and were Donegal’s opponents in that Ulster final. 

It was the first ever provincial senior championship final televised live on TV. On a very wet day in Casement Park, Belfast, Down proved too strong to run out 4-5 to 0-6 winners. 

“We won the Dr McKenna Cup that year,” said Donal. “We beat Cavan in the final in Breffni Park. It was the first time Donegal won the Dr McKenna.

“The final, as far as I can remember, was played in September and the Ulster Council made us go to Cavan for it. 

“I suppose that made the win all the sweater. We beat Cavan in their own pitch and the fact that it was the first time to win meant we had something to celebrate at the end of the year.”

Donal’s trophy cabinet also boasts an Ulster U-21 championship with Donegal from 1963 and a host of club underage championship winners medals including three-in-a-row minor championships. 

Donegal, with Donal Breslin in the number 13 jersey, won the county’s first Ulster U-21 championship in a nine-point win over Cavan. 

The final, on November 10, was played was in Irvestown with Donegal claiming the title on a 3-6 to 1-3 scoreline. 

Service 

The third of the inductees - Packie McGinley - has given a lifetime to Gaoth Dobair GAA as player, manager, and officer. Also during his many years as a teacher on the staff at Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, he was the driving force behind the promotion and coaching of the school. 

His decade or so of years as the club’s number one were among one of the leanest in the club's proud history.  

And while his trophy chest holds no championship or league winners medals, it does contain a host of Donegal and  All-Ireland Comórtas Peile Na Gaeltachta prizes. Like Donal Breslin, Packie McGinley is among the current trustees of the club. 

Other club greats that were honoured on the night were the late Hudy Beag Gallagher and Neilly Gallagher two of the most feared forwards of their time not only with Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal but also playing with Ulster. 

Hudy Beag was a two-time Railway Cup winner (1942 and 1943) and Neilly is a one-time Railway Cup winner with Ulster (1968). Hudey Beag was also named at right full-forward on the Donegal team of the Millennium. 

Fact File 

Owenie Beag McBride 

Donegal SFC:  1, 1961 captain

ACFL Div 1: 2, 1970, ‘73

All-Ireland C P na G: 5, 1969, ‘71, ‘72,’73, ‘78.

Donegal senior team: 1958 to 1964. 

After his playing days, Owenie took up refereeing and also was involved in both club and county management teams. He was a member of Brian McIver’s management team (2005 to 2008) during the Tyrone native’s term as the Donegal senior manager. 

Donal Breslin 

Donegal SFC: 1, 1961 

Donegal ACFL: 1, 1963

Donegal U-16 c’ship: 1, 1958

Donegal U-18 c’ship: 3, 1958, 1959, 1960 

All-Ireland C P na G: 1, 1976

Ulster U-21 C: 1, 1963

Packie McGinley

Donegal C P na G: 6, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979. 

All-Ireland C P na G: 3, 1969, 1975, 1976