# CLG Naomh Columba

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Donegal-based Gaelic games club

Naomh Columba CLG Naomh Columba Founded: 1964 County: Donegal Nickname: Glen, Gleann Colours: Gold and Green Grounds: Páirc na nGael Coordinates: 54°57′08.48″N 8°21′07.55″W / 54.9523556°N 8.3520972°W / 54.9523556; -8.3520972 Playing kits Standard colours Senior Club Championships All Ireland Ulster champions Donegal champions Football: - - 2

**CLG Naomh Columba** is a [Gaelic football](/source/Gaelic_football)-only [GAA](/source/Gaelic_Athletic_Association) club based in [Gleann Cholm Cille](/source/Glencolmcille) in the south-west of [County Donegal](/source/County_Donegal) in the west of [Ulster](/source/Ulster), the northern [province](/source/Provinces_of_Ireland) in Ireland. The club fields both men's and [ladies'](/source/Ladies'_Gaelic_football) teams from underage as far as [senior](/source/List_of_Gaelic_games_terminology#S) level. They enjoy an intense rivalry with their neighbours, [Cill Chartha](/source/CLG_Chill_Chartha) (Kilcar), although the rivalry has subdued somewhat in the last number of years as the clubs have played in different divisions.

## History

Naomh Columba, in their current existence were founded in 1964, although football was played in the parish for decades before this and a Junior club existed since 1944.[1] They have won the [Donegal Senior Football Championship](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship) twice, in 1978 and 1990.

[Michael Oliver McIntyre](/source/Michael_Oliver_McIntyre) captained the team to the 1978 title.[2]

The club also won the [Donegal Junior Football Championship](/source/Donegal_Junior_Football_Championship) in 1974. The club has won 2 [Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta](/source/Com%C3%B3rtas_Peile_na_Gaeltachta) titles and 7 Division 1 League titles. The club's most successful season came in 1978, when they claimed the championship, league and Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta treble, as well as the county under-21 title. They remain the only Donegal club to complete this treble, although [Gaoth Dobhair](/source/CLG_Ghaoth_Dobhair) won a league, championship and Ulster championship treble in 2018.[3]

Naomh Columba were once one of the most feared and respected teams in Donegal, reaching 6 senior county finals in 9 years between 1990 and 1998, but since their relegation to the Intermediate Championship and Division 3 of the league in 2007, the senior team have struggled to make any great impact on the Donegal club scene. 2024 saw the club's return to Division 1 of the Donegal league, and the return of the Naomh Columba-Cill Chartha derby.[4]

They defeated [Na Cealla Beaga](/source/CLG_Na_Cealla_Beaga) in the 1990 Donegal SFC final.[5] Among the winning players were [Noel Hegarty](/source/Noel_Hegarty) and two uncles of [Dessie Farrell](/source/Dessie_Farrell), Noel Carr and Séamus Carr.[6] Indeed, Séamus Carr at half-forward was man of the match in the final, scoring five points (each one from play), while [John Joe Doherty](/source/John_Joe_Doherty) was captain.[2] 1978 captain McIntyre (by then a team mentor alongside Paddy "Beag" Gillespie and Seán Burke) played at full-forward in the 1990 final, which Hegarty won a with a last minute free.[2] However, the club lost the 1992 final to the same team.[5]

In recent years, Naomh Columba have contested three [Donegal Intermediate Football Championship](/source/Donegal_Intermediate_Football_Championship) finals, having lost to [An Clochán Liath](/source/Dungloe_GAA) in 2022, and to [An Tearmann](/source/Termon_GAA) in 2024. In 2025, the club finally prevailed, defeating [Malin](/source/Malin_GAA) in the final to promote the club back to senior football for the 2026 season, the first time the club has played at that level in almost two decades.[7][8][9]

The [Donegal county team](/source/Donegal_county_football_team) which won the [1992 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship](/source/1992_All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship) had two Naomh Columba players on the panel — Noel Hegarty and John Joe Doherty.[10] John Joe Doherty was selected as an All Star in 1993. In recent years, [Aaron Doherty](/source/Aaron_Doherty) has played for the county team at senior level, having scored the winning penalty to defeat Armagh in the [2024 Ulster Championship](/source/2024_Ulster_Senior_Football_Championship) final.[11] In 2026, Paul O'Hare joined the county panel, and made appearances in both the McKenna Cup and National League.[12][13]

## Notable players

- [Aaron Doherty](/source/Aaron_Doherty) — 2019 Ulster SFC winning panelist; 2022 Ulster SFC playing finalist; 2024 Ulster SFC winner

- [John Joe Doherty](/source/John_Joe_Doherty) — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner

- [Noel Hegarty](/source/Noel_Hegarty) — 1992 All-Ireland SFC winner

- [Finian Ward](/source/Finian_Ward) — 1974 [Ulster SFC](/source/Ulster_Senior_Football_Championship) and two-time [Railway Cup](/source/GAA_Interprovincial_Championship) winner [14]

- Pádraig Carr – 1983 Ulster title winner with Donegal [15][16]

- [Paddy Hegarty](/source/Paddy_Hegarty) – brother of Noel;[17] 1987 [All Ireland U-21 Championship](/source/GAA_Football_Under-20_All-Ireland_Championship) winner and county senior player in the 1990s [18]

- [Noel McGinley](/source/Noel_McGinley) – 1998 Ulster SFC finalist[19]

- [Michael Oliver McIntyre](/source/Michael_Oliver_McIntyre)[20]

## Managers

Years Manager 1964–c. 1990? —N/a 1990 Michael McNelis c. 1990–2008? —N/a ? John Joe Doherty[21] 2008–2009 Noel Hegarty[22] 2010–2011 Anthony Molloy 2012 Paddy J. McGinley 2013 Brendan Doherty 2014 Paddy J. McGinley 2015–2016 Brendan Doherty 2017–2018 Paddy J. McGinley 2019–2021 Pauric O'Donnell[23] 2022-2023 Paddy J. McGinley[24][25] 2024-2025 Brendan Doherty[26][27]

## Honours

Naomh Columba honours Honour No. Years Donegal Senior Football Championship 2 1978, 1990 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta 2 1978, 1986 Donegal Senior League 7 1976, 1978, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1995 Donegal Intermediate Football Championship 1 2025 Donegal Junior Football Championship 1 1974 Donegal Under-21 Football Championship 2 1978, 1987 Donegal Minor Football Championship 2 1975, 1986

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta, 2008

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dn_15102015_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dn_15102015_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dn_15102015_2-2) Walsh, Harry (15 October 2015). ["1990: Naomh Columba end twelve year jinx"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151016133615/http://donegalnews.com/2015/10/1990-naomh-columba-end-twelve-year-jinx/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Archived from [the original](https://donegalnews.com/2015/10/1990-naomh-columba-end-twelve-year-jinx/) on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** The Book of Donegal G.A.A. Facts, 2007 (sixth edition)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Glen-Kilcar Division 1 rivalry - back after 22 year gap"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1472952/the-glen-kilcar-division-1-rivalry-back-after-22-year-gap.html). 11 April 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dlive_14102016_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dlive_14102016_5-1) ["Killybegs 1991, one of the greatest Donegal teams"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/219570/killybegs-1991-one-of-the-greatest-donegal-teams.html). 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016. They lost the 1990 final to Naomh Columba… They were champions again in '92 — they defeated Naomh Columba in the final…

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Duffy, Connie (12 December 2019). ["New Dublin GAA boss had strong Donegal connections"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/news/501559/new-dublin-gaa-boss-had-strong-donegal-connections.html). Retrieved 12 December 2019. In fact, two of Farrell's uncles, Noel Carr and Seamus Carr, won a county title alongside Hegarty for Naomh Columba in 1990.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [https://highlandradio.com/2024/10/06/termon-are-intermediate-champions-after-dominant-win-over-naomh-columba/](https://highlandradio.com/2024/10/06/termon-are-intermediate-champions-after-dominant-win-over-naomh-columba/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [https://donegalnews.com/curran-goal-helps-dungloe-to-intermediate-title/](https://donegalnews.com/curran-goal-helps-dungloe-to-intermediate-title/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa-lgfa/1911623/naomh-columba-end-famine-to-defeat-malin-and-win-intermediate-title.html](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa-lgfa/1911623/naomh-columba-end-famine-to-defeat-malin-and-win-intermediate-title.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ryan, Liam (14 May 2001). ["Where are they now: Donegal's All-Ireland champions of 1992"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/where-are-they-now-donegal-s-all-ireland-champions-of-1992-1.307772). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1500492/i-just-blocked-all-the-noise-out-aaron-doherty-on-ulster-final-shoot-out-glory.html](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1500492/i-just-blocked-all-the-noise-out-aaron-doherty-on-ulster-final-shoot-out-glory.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [https://highlandradio.com/2026/01/03/two-senior-debutants-in-donegal-starting-line-up-to-face-derry/](https://highlandradio.com/2026/01/03/two-senior-debutants-in-donegal-starting-line-up-to-face-derry/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [https://www.gaa.ie/article/allianz-fl-d1-donegal-impress-against-mayo](https://www.gaa.ie/article/allianz-fl-d1-donegal-impress-against-mayo)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Finian Ward - a back-to-back Donegal Sports Star in 1979"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/507691/finian-ward-a-back-to-back-donegal-sports-star-in-1979.html). 11 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["One of the greatest club rivalries to be re-ignited next year between Naomh Columba and Kilcar"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1254864/one-of-the-greatest-club-rivalries-to-be-re-ignited-next-year-between-naomh-columba-and-kilcar.html). 22 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["'It was the day after the Shankill bomb: Players were terrified.'"](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/gaa/it-day-after-shankill-bomb-27971733). 24 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Nolan, Pat (22 February 2020). ["Donegal's Manus Boyle explores Dessie Farrell's Tir Chonaill county roots"](https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/donegals-manus-boyle-explores-dessie-17795919). Retrieved 22 February 2020. 'He grew up in the summers along with John Joe Doherty and the Hegarty brothers, Noel and Paddy', [Manus] Boyle explains.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["'It was the day after the Shankill bomb: Players were terrified.'"](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/gaa/it-day-after-shankill-bomb-27971733). 24 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Nulty, Chris (22 July 2011). ["1992–2011: The best XV not to win Ulster…"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160402182556/http://donegalnews.com/2011/07/1992-2011-the-best-xv-not-to-win-ulster/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Archived from [the original](https://donegalnews.com/2011/07/1992-2011-the-best-xv-not-to-win-ulster/) on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2011. The Naomh Columba man is remembered as being on the receiving end of a barge from Derry's Geoffrey McGonagle in the build-up to Joe Brolly's winning goal in the Ulster final of '98.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Foley, Alan; Campbell, Peter (30 July 2021). ["When Donegal minors lit up the summer of 1996. Their story and 'where are they now?'"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/653345/when-donegal-minors-lit-up-the-summer-of-1996-their-story-and-where-are-they-now.html). Retrieved 30 July 2021. Molloy was assisted by Michael Oliver McIntyre from Naomh Columba and Downings' Paddy McBride, with Barry Campbell of Kilcar and Dr Austin O'Kennedy, Four Masters, also on the sideline.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Mulgrew and Bonner's joint ticket"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7669780.stm). [BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport). 14 October 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008. Doherty has also managed his own club Naomh Columba and the Donegal under-21 team.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Foley, Alan (8 January 2009). ["The heroes of '92 - Where are they now?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151218180946/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/the-heroes-of-92-where-are-they-now-1-1989654). *[Donegal Democrat](/source/Donegal_Democrat)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalsport/The-heroes-of--3992.4856965.jp) on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2009. Having only made his championship debut a year earlier, Hegarty and Tony Boyle were the babies of that team. A builder and developer, he is currently player-manager of his hometown club.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** McNulty, Chris (16 December 2020). ["Naomh Columba seek new manager for 2021"](https://www.donegalsporthub.com/naomh-columba-seek-new-manager-for-2021/). Retrieved 16 December 2020. Former goalkeeper O'Donnell succeeded Paddy J McGinley in the post for the start of the 2019 season.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Campbell, Peter (21 February 2022). ["Back to the future at Naomh Columba as Paddy J McGinley returns as manager"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/749274/back-to-the-future-in-glen-as-paddy-j-mcginley-back-as-senior-team-manager.html). *www.donegallive.ie*. Retrieved 11 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Paddy J McGinley happy to lay Naomh Columba's cards firmly on the table"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1194815/paddy-j-mcginley-happy-to-lay-naomh-columba-s-cards-firmly-on-the-table.html). 14 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Naomh Columba announce Brendan Doherty as the new senior manager for 2024"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1412471/naomh-columba-announce-brendan-doherty-as-the-new-senior-manager-for-2024.html). 2 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa-lgfa/1874644/naomh-columba-and-ryan-doherty-helping-get-the-as-i-am-message-out-there.html](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa-lgfa/1874644/naomh-columba-and-ryan-doherty-helping-get-the-as-i-am-message-out-there.html)

v t e Donegal GAA clubs v t e Football Senior Football Championship (16) An Clochán Liath (Dungloe) Aodh Ruadh (Ballyshannon) Ard an Rátha (Ardara) Cill Chartha (Kilcar) Cloich Cheann Fhaola (Cloughaneely) Four Masters (Donegal) Gaoth Dobhair Glenfin (Cloghan) Gleann tSúilí (Glenswilly) Na Cealla Beaga (Killybegs) Na Dúnaibh (Downings) Naomh Conaill (Glenties) St Eunan's (Letterkenny) St Michael's (Dunfanaghy) St Naul's (Mountcharles) Seán Mac Cumhaills (Ballybofey) Intermediate Football Championship (12) Burt Buncrana Gaeil Fhánada (Fanad) Gaeil Leitir Ceanainn (Letterkenny) Malin Baile na nGallóglach (Milford) Naomh Colmcille (Newtowncunningham) Naomh Columba (Glencolmcille) Naomh Muire (Kincasslagh) Na Rossa (The Rosses) Réalt na Mara (Bundoran) Termon Junior Football Championship (11) Carndonagh Moville Naomh Bríd (Laghey) Naomh Pádraig (Lifford) Naomh Pádraig (Muff) Naomh Ultan (Dunkineely) Paite Gabha (Pettigo) Red Hughs (Killygordon) Roibéard Eiméid (Castlefin) Naomh Mhuire Conmhaigh (Convoy) Urris v t e Hurling Senior Hurling Championship (8) An Clochán Liath Aodh Ruadh (Ballyshannon) Buncrana Burt Carndonagh Na Ceithre Máistir (formerly) Naomh Adhamhnáin (Letterkenny) Seán MacCumhaill's (Ballybofey) Setanta (Killygordon) Na Cealla Beaga (formerly) Intermediate Hurling Championship (4) An Clochán Liath Aodh Ruadh (Ballyshannon) Buncrana Carndonagh Junior Hurling Championship (?)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [CLG Naomh Columba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLG_Naomh_Columba) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLG_Naomh_Columba?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.