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23 Oct 2025

A decade of Big Four dominance as Championship contenders unlikely to change

As the new championship season begins this weekend, we look back at some of the most memorable, controversial, and talked about matches between Donegal's Big Four - Naomh Conaill, St Eunan's, Gaoth Dobhair, and Kilcar, over the past decade

Naomh Conaill 2-7 Kilcar 0-13 - Naomh Conaill win 4-2 on pens (final 2020) - The War Begins 

It will arguably go down as one of the most controversial moments in championship history, that lingered on well into the new season. 

With a Covid-19 struck world, the 2020 county final wasn’t played until August 2021, with the ramifications continuing into 2022. 

Taking almost a year for the final to be played out, it was only fitting that the match was to be decided on a first historic penalty shoot-out. 

The match itself was Helter Skelter right to the end with Kevin McGettigan’s 57th minute goal moving Naomh Conaill three in front; surely, they thought, enough. 

From a long ball into the mix, Charles McGuinness’ effort was blocked into the path of the inrushing McGettigan, who crashed home. 

That looked set to secure the Dr Maguire, but there was to be further drama and McBrearty tucked over a free – his seventh of the game – to force extra time despite the final whistle being blown a minute and a half before the allocated time. 

Despite Naomh Conaill winning on penalties, with Kilcar duo Mark and Ryan McHugh missing their spot kicks, before Ciaran Thompson fired home to win the cup, the follow up resulted in an appeal being lodged by Kilcar, noting that Naomh Conaill used four substitutes during extra-time, as opposed to the regulation three during the additional period of play. 

The Donegal CCC initially ordered a replay of the final, however, that decision was overturned when taken to the provincial CCC, who ordered the process to begin again. 

Following another meeting of the county CCC, Naomh Conaill were instead handed a fine of €5,000 but were allowed to hold onto their title. 

Kilcar were incensed and released a strongly worded statement, stressing that they hold the decision in "utter contempt" but also deciding that it is in the club's best interest to opt against appealing the decision. 

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