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

Naomh Colmcille 2017/18

Croke Park was closer and yet far away as ever for Naomh Colmcille as they missed out in their All-Ireland JFC semi-final against Knocknagree from Cork, 2-9 to 0-7.

First-half goals, both avoidable for Ryan McKinley’s Naomh Colmcille, by James Dennehy and John F Daly fired Knocknagree through, with the Newtowncunningham-based team’s scores coming from William Gillespie, with four frees; Matthew Crossan two and one from Daniel Clarke’s placed ball.

To reach that stage, Naomh Colmcille were Donegal SFC winners after beating Red Hughs 2-7 to 0-8. An Ulster IFC quarter-final 1-8 to 0-7 defeat of Cavan’s Ballymachugh preceded a 2-7 to 1-9 beating of Tattyreagh from Tyrone. Then, Belnalack of Fermanagh were overcome 1-9 to 0-6 in the Ulster final, with Crossan the goalscorer a stone’s throw away at Celtic Park in Derry.

“A year ago this week, Ryan McKinley was appointed to the Naomh Colmcille hotseat and even then in his wildest of dreams he couldn’t have forecasted such a voyage,” Chris McNulty wrote following their epic 2017 season that ran into 2018.

“2016 had been a disaster for the Pairc Colmcille men as they were relegated from the Intermediate Championship – having been finalists in 2015 – and consigned to the drop to Division 4 in the All-County League. In time, Naomh Colmcille will be able to reflect on a history-making season but, for now, at least, it’s that nagging sense of a chance missed.”

Knocknagree won the final by 3-13 to 3-9 against Multyfarnham from Westmeath.