Kevin McGovern (inset) was jailed when he appeared at the Central Criminal Court
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19 Dec 2025
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19 Dec 2025
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Adrian Delap of Letterkenny Rovers in action against Bonagee United and, inset, Cockhill Celtic celebrate winning the FAI Junior Cup
Three Donegal clubs will be part of the new FAI National League, which begins next year.
Letterkenny Rovers, Bonagee United, and Cockhill Celtic are three of 15 teams that have been accepted into the third tier, with a start date of Autumn 2026 for the first season.
The three former Ulster Senior League sides will make the move back away from Junior football.
Current Donegal Junior League champions Letterkenny Rovers, who currently hold the Brian McCormick Cup and Ulster Cup, are joined by neighbours Bonagee United, who are currently unbeaten in the Donegal Junior League.
Cockhill Celtic are top of the Inishowen Football League with nine wins from nine, having lost their crown to rivals Buncrana Hearts last season.
Four clubs from Dublin have also been confirmed, with Home Farm, Lucan United, St Francis, and TU Dublin all in, while three Connacht clubs have been accepted in Mayo FC, along with Galway pair Mervue United and Salthill Devon.
UCC (Cork), Killarney Celtic (Kerry), and Villa FC (Waterford) are the Munster representatives, while Newbridge Town (Kildare) and CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny) make up the final spots.
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Initially planned to be two 10-team leagues with a North and South split, with only 15 teams accepted, the FAI are seeking further applicants to make up the final five spots.
The first season of the National League will be a shorter season with no promotion, before aligning with the League of Ireland Premier Division and First Division, with a February to November calendar.
2025 National League entrants:
Bonagee United, CK United, Cockhill Celtic, Home Farm, Killarney Celtic, Letterkenny Rovers, Lucan United, Mayo FC, Mervue United, Newbridge Town, Salthill Devon, St. Francis, TU Dublin, UCC, Villa FC.
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