What next? A history of when Donegal go on the rebound

2003 – (Almost) the last dance
Without a manager forthcoming to replace Micky Moran, county chairman Brian McEniff had to step back into the role. Donegal were at sixes and sevens in Division 1, losing their first six outings, rather comprehensively - 1-18 to 1-8 against Galway, 1-10 to 0-9 when faced with Dublin, outscored 2-9 to 1-6 by Armagh, beaten 1-14 to 1-10 by Tyrone, losing 1-12 to 0-8 to Kerry and then upended 3-8 to 0-10 when taking on Cork. In their last outing Donegal overcame Roscommon 2-10 to 1-10 in a dead rubber 12 months on from their clash with the same side when they had to wear Roscommon away kits due to a clash of kits.

The worst fears from their Division 1 demotion were realised when they were beaten 0-10 to 0-6 at Brewster Park against Fermanagh on a day when some supporters swore they wouldn’t be back.

The run in the qualifiers was initially one of babysteps, wins over Longford and then Sligo before a run-out at Croke Park against Tipperary, winning 2-19 to 0-15 amid a Declan Browne masterclass. Beaten Ulster finalists Down were swotted to one side in round four, with Stephen McDermott, Michael Hegarty and Christy Toye all finding the net in a 3-15 to 2-10 victory.

That meant Donegal were headed for an All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway, which finished in a 1-11 to 0-14 draw. Many thought Donegal’s chances had gone and especially so considering the neutral ground chosen for a replay was Castlebar. However, McEniff’s team produced a fantastic showing to reel back the years in the baking sun to run out winners 0-14 to 0-11 against the 2001 All-Ireland champions.

In the semi-final, Donegal would face the 2002 winners, Armagh, and in front of 76,321 at Croke Park, almost pulled off a huge surprise with Christy Toye grabbing a first half goal. Raymond Sweeney was harshly sent off in a contest that was only put to bed when Oisín McConville steered a penalty past Tony Blake in the 75th minute after sub Paddy McKeever had been fouled in the square. Armah kicked 21 wides on the day but for a year that promised so little, Donegal deserved great credit for almost reaching only a second ever All-Ireland final.

"My story is well known,” McEniff said afterwards. “ I'm going home now, I'm retired. I'm a county chairman who is looking for a team manager. I just said to the lads that if I have to step down in the search for a team manager that I will do but I will seek out the best possible manager for the lads. I've done my time. I said I'd wait nine months with the lads and that I've done. I must say I got a great buzz and I've gone past that stage of management. I have work and family to think about now however."

McEniff, though, stayed on and managed Donegal in both 2004 and 2005 although the pangs of 2003 will always be the standout of his final stint in charge.