A look back at 12 significant Donegal county finals in last 60 years

​1 1965 - St Joseph's v Glenties

St Josephs 1-11, Glenties 0-10

(St Joseph's 1-7, Glenties 0-10)

In their first final St Joseph't were fortunate in the first game with Mickey McLoone getting them a draw with a late free. In the replay, played in late November, Glenties went 0-7 to 0-2 up but a Seamie Granaghan goal left St Joseph's just a point adrift at the break. And they began to assert themselves in the second half especially through McLoone frees. Bernard Brady became the first winning St Joseph’s captain.

St Joseph's: Sean McHugh; Charlie Murphy, Joe O'Neill, Sean Murray; Josie Boyle, Bernard Brady (capt), Ciaran Dolan; Brian McEniff, Brendan Dowling; Michael McLoone, Pauric McShea, Seamie Granaghan; Owen Roe O'Neill, Peter Quinn, Seamus Martin.

Glenties: Willie McNelis; Pat McCabe, Pat Conaghan, Martin Molloy; Michael Glynn, Leo McLoone (capt), Joe McKelvey; Neil McKelvey, Bernie Gildea; Terence Craig, Frankie Campbell, Pat Bonner; Josie Ward, Pat Murphy, Conal McLoone

Referee: Paul Grace (Derry)

2 1976 - St Joseph's four in-a-row

St Josephs 1-13, Four Masters 0-5

St Joseph's won their seventh and last championship when they easily accounted for Four Masters after just leading by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break. A goal from Christy Murphy put them on their way in the second half. Brian McEniff was captaining St Joseph's for the second time and they had already won the Ulster Club Championship, defeating Castleblayney Faughs in the 1975 final. They were well beaten in All-Ireland club semi-final by Roscommon Gaels.

St Joseph's: Dom Murray; Niall McQuillan, Pauric McShea, Ray Sheerin; Brian McEniff, Declan O'Carroll, Josie Boyle; Sean Gallagher, Peter Barry; Billy Gavigan, Seamus Granaghan, Christy Murphy; Thomas Quinn, Brendan McHugh, Pat Curran.

Four Masters: Declan McIntyre; Tommy Caldwell, Brendan Martin, Martin Gillen; PJ McGarrigle, Donal Monaghan, Jackie McGroarty; Paul Duncan, Steve McCormick; Francis Monaghan, PJ Dooley, Marty Kelly; Eamonn Gorman, Hugh Travers, Enda Mullin. Subs: Peter Thomas for S McCormick; Dermot McGettigan for S Mullin; Peter Coulter for E Gorman.

Referee: Peter McKelvey (Glenties)

3 1980 - Kilcar breakthrough

Kilcar 1-13, Ardara 0-8

One of the great final performances on their first final. The game will be remembered for Martin McHugh's 0-10, the launchpad for his great career; the man of the match performance from Michael Carr, who ran the game from centre half-back. Sean McGinley became the first Kilcar man to lift the Dr Magure Cup.

Kilcar: Maurice Carr; Tommy McFadden, Dinny McBrearty, John Quinn; Charlie McGroarty, Michael Carr, John Carr; Danny Gillespie, Aodh Cannon; Martin McHugh, Francie Cannon, Sean McGinley; Francie Gallagher, Charlie O'Donnell, Peter Conroy.

Ardara: Patsy Harkin; Frank O'Donnell, Anthony Molloy, Eddie McLoone; Noel Watters, Martin Sweeney, Conal A Gildea; Anthony Harkin, Josie Gallagher; Gerard McNelis, Connie Molloy, Lanty Molloy; Seamus Gallagher, Kieran Keeney, Patsy Gildea. Subs: John Herron, John Boyle.

Referee: Jack Furey (Dunkineely)

4 1986 - Aodh Ruadh breakthrough

Aodh Ruadh 1-8, Red Hughs 0-5

A young Aodh Ruadh side who had won four minor titles in-a-row finally came good in 1986 and would go on to have a great rivalry with Kilcar in the second half of the decade. The win bridged a 35 year gap for the Ballyshannon club and it marked a first county medal for Brendan Martin, after missing out with Clanna Gael and Four Masters.

Aodh Ruadh: Gary Walsh; Joe Curran, Tommy McDermott, Padraig McLoone; Conor Boyle, Eunan Gallagher, Diarmaid Keon; Sylvester Maguire, Brian Murray; Gerry Curran, Sean Boyle, Eunan Walsh; Colm Herron, Pascal McTernan, Alan Murray. Subs: Brendan Martin, Thomas Gallagher, Pauric Daly.

Referee: Jack Furey (Dunkineely)

5 1988 - Killybegs breakthrough

Killybegs 2-10, Kilcar 2-8

Fr Seán said it was the first Killybegs championship; that their 1952 winning team contained only one Killybegs man. This was the start of a great era for the club, winning four more in the 90s. The first had a controversial finish with Jimmy White getting the winning goal and Kilcar complaining of a square ball. Barry Cunningham was captain on the day.

Killybegs: Hughie McFadden; Paul Carberry Denis Carberry, Michael Campbell; Kevin White, Jimmy White, John McGuinness; John Cunningham, Barry Cunningham; Barry McGowan, John Gallagher, Conor White; Conal Gallagher, Manus Boyle, Rory McNelis. Subs: Keith Jones, Charlie Tully.

Kilcar: Michael McFadden; Seamus Gallagher, Neilly Byrne, Enda McHugh; John Carr, James Carr, John Doogan; Maurice Carr, Danny Gillespie; James McHugh, Christy Gillespie, Gerard McBrearty; Martin McHugh, Mark McShane, Neilly Cannon.

Referee: Kieran McGlynn (Glenfin)

6 1990 - Naomh Columba upset odds

Naomh Columba 0-10, Killybegs 0-9

Glen's greatest hour. Their first final since 1978 and who would have forecast the torture that would follow throughout the '90. In this final they were worthy winners and should have won by more although it took a last minute free from Noel Hegarty to finally decide the contest.

Naomh Columba: Kevin Doherty; Conal Gavigan, John Paul Curran, John Joe Doherty; Sean Gavigan, Noel Hegarty, Paul Carr; Dessie Cunningham, Paddy Gavigan; Seamus Carr, Paddy Hegarty, Paul McIntyre; Noel Carr, Michael McNelis, Michael O McIntyre. Sub: Damien Gillespie.

Killybegs: David Meehan; Michael Campbell, Paul Carberry, Kevin White; Barry Cunningham jnr, John Cunningham, Conal Gallagher; Barry McGowan, Manus Boyle; Mark Boyle, John Ban Gallagher, Jimmy White; Conal F Gallagher, Denis Carberry, Rory McNelis. Subs: John McGuinness, Paul Murrin, Declan Boyle.

Referee: Mick McGrath (Aodh Ruadh)

7 1993 - Kilcar turn over Killybegs

Kilcar 0-12, Killybegs 0-10

The Democrat preview headline said - 'If anyone can, Kilcar can'. And they did, causing a huge upset against a fancied Killybegs side who were the team to beat around that time. James McHugh had one of those games, ran the show, aided by Galway barman Padraig Howley and Roger McShane. Some revenge for the 1988 result.

Kilcar: Paddy Sweeney; Michael Carr, Enda McHugh, John O'Donnell; Declan McShane, James Carr, Kevin Lyons; Christy Gillespie, Mark McShane; David Cannon, Martin McHugh, Michael Molloy; Roger McShane, James McHugh, Padraig Howley. Subs: Neilly Byrne, Noel McDevitt.

Killybegs: David Meehan; Francis Murray, Denis Carberry, Peter McGinley; Paul Callaghan, John Cunningham, Declan Boyle; John Ban Gallagher, Barry McGowan; Mark Boyle, Conor White, Jimmy White; Tony Hegarty, Conal Gallagher, Manus Boyle. Subs: Paul Rowan, Paul Carberry.

Referee: Liam Brown (Four Masters)

8 1999 - Devenney's day

St Eunan's 1-19, Aodh Ruadh 1-11

There was always an air of controversy when these teams met after the Leslie McGettigan affair in 1997. But it became the Brendan Devenney show, the corner forward notching 0-14, a record that is likely to stand for some time (although the advent of two pointers and maybe four points for a goal might change that). Aodh Ruadh had started well, led 1-4 to 0-1 before Devenney took off, seven from frees, seven from play.

St Eunan's: Tony Blake; Mossie McGeehin, Brian McDermott, Peter McGeehin; Jonathan Scanlon, Brendan Kilcoyne, Adrian McClafferty; Mark Crossan, Paul O'Dowd; Terence Gallagher, John Haran, Charlie Mulgrew; Damien Daly, Kevin Winston, Brendan Devenney. Sub: Brian McGeehin.

Aodh Ruadh: Gary Walsh; Brendan Boyle, Eamonn O'Donnell, Gavin Bourke; Martin McGlynn, Patrick McGrath, Niall McCready; Barry Ward, Stephen Ward; John Duffy, Damien Conlon, Michael Gurn; Brian Roper, Donal Buggy, Gareth Blake. Subs: Michael Ward, Charles O'Donnell.

Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs)

9 2000 - Ardara defy the odds

Ardara 1-9, St Eunan's 0-7

The Democrat Jury was 11-1 in favour of St Eunan's retaining their county title. Manus Boyle was the lone vote for Ardara, who produced one of the great county final displays to upset the odds. Damien Diver ran the show, aided and abetted by the Dohertys. They ran themselves into the ground and overran St Eunan's for a famous win

Ardara: Conor Curran; Sean Whyte, Eamonn Doherty, Joseph Doherty; Martin McShane, Brendan Boyle, Kevin Byrne; Damien Diver, Francis Diver; Fergal Heena, Peter McHugh, Conal Doherty; Don Early, Jonathan Boyle, Michael Doherty. Subs: Adrian Cunningham, Aodh Brennan, Patrick Gallagher, Ted Breslin, Jimmy Brennan.

St Eunan's: Tony Blake; Brendan Roache, Mossie McGeehin, Jonathan Scanlon; Damien Daly, Mark Crossan, Terence Gallagher; John Haran, Shane O'Donnell; Vernon Gallagher, Kevin Winston, Rory Kavanagh; Brendan Kilcoyne, Kevin Rafferty, Brendan Devenney. Subs: Brian McDermott, Conall Dunne, Paul Crampsie.

Referee: Seamus McGonigle

10 2005 - Naomh Conaill after replay

Naomh Conaill 0-10, St Eunan's 1-5

(Naomh Conaill 1-5, St Eunan's 0-8)

The start of something big (but we didn't know it at the time). Naomh Conaill's first in their first final (they were Glenties on the other occasion). It took a replay but thanks to the battling qualities of John Gildea they wore St Eunan's down. It might not have been pretty but it was the start of the McGuinness influence. The first of eight medals for Eoin Waide, Anthony Thompson, Brendan McDyer and Leo McLoone.

Naomh Conaill: Martin Molloy; John McKenna, Paddy Campbell, Johnny Bonner; John Timoney, Thomas Donoghue, Eoin Waide; Anthony Thompson, John Gildea; Brendan McDyer, Leon Thompson, Marty Boyle; Dara Gallagher, Johnny McLoone, Dominic Bonner. Subs: Leonard McDyre, Michael McLoone, Jim McGuinness, Aaron Thompson. (Conal McNelis played in first game, Johnny McLoone came on as sub. Along with Martin Regan and Leo McLoone).

St Eunan's: Tony Blake; Eddie Brennan, Mark Crossan, Niall McClafferty; Brendan Roache, Ciaran Ryan, Sean McEwen; Kevin Rafferty, John Haran; Brian McDermott, Conall Dunne, Rory Kavanagh; Peter O'Doherty, Brendan Devenney, David McGinley. Subs: Damien McClafferty, Kevin Winston, Ciaran Greene, Ciaran Sharkey. (Colin McIntyre, Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Greene played in first game - Niall McClafferty, John Haran and Peter O'Doherty came on as subs along with Kevin Winston and Kevin McGinley.

Referee (first game): Mick McGrath (Aodh Ruadh); second game: Jimmy White (Killybegs)

11 2011 - Glenswilly and Murphy arrive

Glenswilly 1-8, St Michael's 0-9

In their first final, powered by Michael Murphy and Neil Gallagher, Glenswilly made their own bit of history. But like the 1999 final with Brendan Devenney getting 0-14, this time it was Michael Murphy with 1-7, all but a point of their total. It was the start of a good decade for the Glen men.

Glenswilly: Philip O'Donnell; Rory McDaid, Eamonn Ward, Ruairi Crawford; Joe Gibbons, James Pat McDaid, Brian McDaid; Leon Kelly, Neil Gallagher; Kealan McFadden, Ciaran Bonner, Caolan Kelly; Darren McGinley, Gary McFadden, Michael Murphy. Subs: Brian Farrelly, Martin McGinley, John McFadden, Gerard McGrenra.

St Michael's: Ciaran Gallagher; Brendan Rodden, Stephen Doak, Stephen Black; Peter Witherow, Michael McGinley, Michael Gallagher; Brian McLaughlin, Martin McElhinney; Daniel McLaughlin, Antoin McFadden, Christy Toye; Colm A McFadden, Raymond McLaughlin, Ciaran Gallagher. Subs: Andrew Kelly, Stephen Coyle.

Referee: Jimmy White (Killybegs).

12 2019 - the Naomh Conaill - Gaoth Dobhair trilogy

Naomh Conaill 0-8, Gaoth Dobhair 0-7

(Naomh Conaill 0-8, Gaoth Dobhair 0-8)

(Naomh Conaill 1-11, Gaoth Dobhair 0-14, aet)

One of the most exciting and close county finals in history and it took two replays and extra-time to finally get a winner with the final game on a Wednesday night in MacCumhaill Park. The first game wasn't a classic with Gaoth Dobhair losing the unfortunate Kieran Gillespie to injury. The second game was a real classic with both sides holding the lead at various stages before Seaghan Ferry got the leveller for Gaoth Dobhair to send it to a third game.

The third game had just a point between them and it was a controversial last point from John O'Malley which had the umpires undecided and it was finally awarded by a linesman. Gaoth Dobhair had to play the second half without Eamon McGee, red carded for an incident as the teams left the field at half-time and they finished with 13 as Odhran McFadden Ferry was lined late on.

Gaoth Dobhair: Christopher Sweeney, Gary McFadden, Neil McGee, Seaghan Ferry; Niall Friel, Dan McBride, Dáire Ó Baoill; Michael Carroll, Eamon McGee; Odhrán McFadden Ferry, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Naoise Ó Baoill; Cian Mulligan, Kevin Cassidy, Gavin McBride. Subs: James Boyle for G McBride 33; Peter McGee for S Ferry 51; Eamonn Collum for Carroll bcard 55

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Ultan Doherty, AJ Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan; Ethan O'Donnell, Anthony Thompson, Marty Boyle; Ciaran Thompson, Leo McLoone; Brendan McDyer, Eoghan McGettigan, Eunan Doherty; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui, Charles McGuinness, Kieran Gallagher. Subs: Stephen Molloy for M Boyle 39; Dermot Molloy for McDyer 42; John O'Malley for Mac Ceallabhui 50

Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh). Enda McFeely did the first game and Jimmy White the first replay.