Éamonn agus Neil McGee, Gaoth Dobhair - closing in on 100 championship games

Neil McGee has played 98 Senior Championship games (93 Donegal + 5 Ulster/All Ireland) with Gaoth Dobhair. Éamonn McGee has played 97 (92+5). They have played together for Gaoth Dobhair in 91 Championship games.

Éamonn made his first Senior Championship debut against Seán Mac Cumhaill on 8 July 2001. 2023 is his 23rd Championship campaign in-a-row.  Neil’s debut was against Na Piarsaigh on 23 June 2002. 2023 is his 22nd Championship campaign in-a-row.

Neil played a record 194 competitive games for Donegal : Éamonn played 154. Their dedication and devotion to club and county are astounding.

Neil has faced Naomh Conall more often than any other club in the championship – on 10 occasions; 2016 – 2017  –  2018 (twice) - 2019 (three times) – 2020 – 2022 (twice). Éamonn faced Naomh Conall in all these games as well (he also faced Seán Mac Cumhaill and An Clochán Liath 10 times). Their championship record against Naomh Conall is: won 2, drew 2, lost 6 (including their last four meetings). 

Before the McGee era Gaoth Dobhair had beaten Glenties in each one of their ten championship meetings 1941-1979. 

Éamonn and Neil were on the Championship-winning team of 2002, 2006 and 2018 and on the County final losing team of 2019 (against Naomh Conaill).

Éamonn played 35 Championship games in-a-row for Gaoth Dobhair 2001-2009. Neil played 32 in a row 2002-2009. 

Gaoth Dobhair’s highest championship score in the McGee era was 8-13 (v Bun Dobhráin 2018). Their lowest was 0-5 (v Ard a’Rátha 2013). 

COUNTY FINALS 2000-2022

2000 Ard a‘ Rátha 1-9  Naomh Adhamhnán 0-7
2001 Naomh Adhamhnán 1-10  Na Ceithre Maistrí 0-8
2002 Gaoth Dobhair 1-11  Naomh Adhamhnán 0-10
2003 Na Ceithre Maistrí 0-15   An Tearmann 0-9
2004 Ard a‘ Rátha 1-9   Seán Mac Cumhaill 0-4
2005 Naomh Conall 0-10   Naomh Adhamhnán 1-5
2006 Gaoth Dobhair 1-5   Naomh Adhamhnán 0-6
2007 Naomh Adhamhnán 0-12   Gleann Súilí 1-3
2008 Naomh Adhamhnán 2-13   An Tearmann 1-8
2009 Naomh Adhamhnán 0-13   Naomh Conall 0-7
2010 Naomh Conall 1-5   Na Cealla Beaga 0-8
2011 Gleann Súilí 1-8   Naomh Michéal 0-9
2012 Naomh Adhamhnán 1-7   Naomh Conall 0-9
2013 Gleann Súilí 3-19   Na Cealla Beaga 2-6
2014 Naomh Adhamhnán 0-9   Gleann Súilí 0-6
2015 Naomh Conall 0-11   Naomh Adhamhnán 0-10
2016 Gleann Súilí 1-10   Cill Chartha 0-12
2017 Cill Chartha 0-7   Naomh Conall 0-4
2018 Gaoth Dobhair 0-17   Naomh Conall 1-7
2019 Naomh Conall 0-8   Gaoth Dobhair 0-7
2020 Naomh Conall 2-7   Cill Chartha 0-13 (4-3 pens)
2021 Naomh Adhamhnán 1-11   Naomh Conall 0-4
2022 Naomh Conall 1-9   Naomh Adhamhnán 2-5

No club had reached the County Senior Championship final seven years in-a-row before Naomh Conall accomplished that outstanding feat 2017-2023.  Gaoth Dobhair (1944-1949) and Naomh Iosef (1965-1970) had reached six- in-a-row.