How Donegal's Ulster champs fared in the All-Ireland club series down the years

St Michael’s - 2003/04

St Michael’s were Donegal’s first-ever representatives in an All-Ireland club final, losing out 1-11 to 1-4 against Ilen Rovers from west Cork at Portmarnock’s Páirc Mhearnóg in the IFC.

The Dunfanaghy-based team were beaten by seven points in the end, although left with regret. Five points from Kieran O'Sullivan, including four frees and another from Kieran Daly put Ilen ahead 0-6 to 0-1, with St Michael’s kicking 11 first-half wides, with the wind.

However, they regrouped and got back level at 1-4 to 0-7 with Sean Stewart netting on 24 minutes from Colm McFadden’s pass, then Stephen Coyle and Christy Toye pointed by the 35th minute.

After Stewart was fouled, St Michael’s were awarded a penalty, only for Gary Coakley in goal to save from Brian McLaughlin. However, At the other end, O’Sullivan blasted home a penalty on 50 minutes as part of his personal haul of 1-7. The Munster champions’ triumph was copper-fastened by a series of splendid late points from O’Sullivan, Brian O’Sullivan and Kieran Daly.

In the semi-final, on an April Tuesday evening, St Michael’s overcame Dundalk Gaels 1-12 to 1-7 in Clontibret, just days after they had won the Ulster crown, defeating Maghery from Armagh 1-11 to 0-8 at the same venue, with Stewart the scorer of the only goal.

Colm McFadden scored 1-6 in their last four tie, in which they trailed by five points in the first half with Anthony McSorley the goalscorer for the Louth and Leinster champions. For the St Michael’s goal, Christy Toye broke from halfway before releasing the ball over his left shoulder to Colm McFadden who flashed the ball past Stephen Faulkner five minutes into the second half. St Michael’s had won the Donegal IFC thanks to an 0-18 to 0-5 win over Buncrana.