# Donegal Intermediate Football Championship

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Donegal_Intermediate_Football_Championship
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Donegal_Intermediate_Football_Championship.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donegal_Intermediate_Football_Championship
> Source revision: 1316512086
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Donegal Intermediate Football Championship Irish Craobh Peil Idirmheánach Dhún na nGall Founded 1977 Title holders Naomh Columba (1st title) Most titles Na Dúnaibh & Termon (4 titles)

The **Donegal Intermediate Football Championship** (abbreviated as **Donegal IFC**) is an annual [football](/source/Gaelic_football) competition organised by [Donegal GAA](/source/Donegal_GAA).

[Naomh Columba](/source/CLG_Naomh_Columba) are the current holders, defeating [Malin](/source/Malin_GAA) in the 2025 decider.

## History

The competition has been won by 28 clubs, 13 of which have won it more than once.

[Declan Bonner](/source/Declan_Bonner) was [player-manager](/source/Player-coach) of the 1989 winning team.[1] He won the [Ulster Senior Football Championship](/source/Ulster_Senior_Football_Championship) with his county in 1990, followed by another in 1992 and the [All-Ireland Senior Football Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship) of 1992 as well.

A young [Jim McGuinness](/source/Jim_McGuinness) first came to the attention of then Donegal manager [Brian McEniff](/source/Brian_McEniff) in the 1990 final.[2]

The most successful team to have emerged from the Donegal IFC in the 21st-century is [Glenswilly](/source/Glenswilly_GAA). They went on to claim several SFC honours for the first time in club history (2011, 2013, 2016). [Neil Gallagher](/source/Neil_Gallagher_(Donegal_footballer)), the future [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League_(Ireland))-winning captain and All Star of the 2012 and 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, won the Donegal IFC in 2005.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The 2006 final required two replays before [Cloich Cheann Fhaola](/source/CLG_Chloich_Cheann_Fhaola) defeated [Gaeil Fhánada](/source/CLG_Gaeil_Fh%C3%A1nada).[3]

Initially a straight knock-out competition, a round-robin group stage was introduced in 2013.

With its 2023 title win, Na Dúnaibh became the first club to win the competition on four occasions, having previously done so in 1981, 1988 and 1993.[4] They were joined by CLG An Tearmainn after their defeat of [CLG Naomh Columba](/source/CLG_Naomh_Columba) in 2024.

Men to have won this competition and to have played at senior level for their county include [Paddy McConigley](/source/Paddy_McConigley) (2009),[5] [Michael Boyle](/source/Michael_Boyle_(footballer)) (2012),[6] [Kevin Mulhern](/source/Kevin_Mulhern) (2014),[7] [Jamie](/source/Jamie_Brennan) and [Paul Brennan](/source/Paul_Brennan_(Gaelic_footballer)) (2015),[8] [Frank McGlynn](/source/Frank_McGlynn_(Gaelic_footballer)) (2018),[9] [Stephen Griffin](/source/Stephen_Griffin) (2019)[10][11] and [Peter Boyle](/source/Peter_Boyle_(Gaelic_footballer)) (2020).[12]

Others to have played in this competition and played at senior level for their county include [Michael Lynch](/source/Michael_Lynch_(Gaelic_footballer)),[8] [Niall McCready](/source/Niall_McCready)[6] and [Brian Roper](/source/Brian_Roper_(Gaelic_footballer)).[6]

## Honours

The winning club receives the Cathal McLaughlin Memorial Cup. The winning club is [promoted](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) to the [Donegal Senior Football Championship](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship) for the following season.

The Donegal IFC winner qualifies for the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship. It is the only team from County Donegal to qualify for this competition. The Donegal IFC winner may enter the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship at either the preliminary round or the quarter-final stage.

The Donegal IFC winner — by winning the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship — may qualify for the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship, at which it would enter at the semi-final stage, providing it hasn't been drawn to face the British champions in the quarter-finals. The last team from County Donegal to do this was [St Michael's](/source/St_Michael's_GAA_(Donegal)) in 2004 who went on to reach the final, losing out to [Ilen Rovers](/source/Ilen_Rovers_GAA) of Cork.[13]

## Winners and finalists

### Results by team

Results by team # Team Wins Years won Last final lost 1 Na Dúnaibh 4 1981, 1988, 1993, 2023 1978 Termon 1991, 2000, 2012, 2024 —N/a 2 Réalt na Mara 3 1977, 2010, 2015 2009 Glenfin 1983, 2001, 2018 1997 Naomh Muire 1994, 1998, 2013 —N/a Cloich Cheann Fhaola 2006, 2014, 2021 2019 2 Naomh Ultan 2 1984, 2002 1998 An Clochán Liath 1986, 2022 2021 Na Rossa 1989, 1999 2008 Milford 1992, 2017 2016 Buncrana 1995, 2004 2014 Gaeil Fhánada 2007, 2009 2006 St Naul's 2011, 2019 2017 3 Rosses Rovers 1 1978 —N/a Na Cealla Beaga 1979 —N/a Roger Casements[a] 1980 —N/a Urris 1982 —N/a Gaoth Dobhair 1985 —N/a Naomh Bríd 1987 —N/a Naomh Conaill 1990 1986 Four Masters 1996 —N/a Carndonagh 1997 2003 St Michael's 2003 2000 Glenswilly 2005 —N/a Seán MacCumhaill's 2008 —N/a Burt 2016 —N/a Aodh Ruadh 2020 2018 Naomh Columba 2025 2024

### Finals listed by year

Year Winner Score Opponent Score Winning captain Man of the match Winning manager 1977 Réalt na Mara 2-11 Convoy 0-11 1978 Rosses Rovers 0-9 Na Dúnaibh 0-7 1979 Na Cealla Beaga 1-8 Glenfin 0-8 1980 Roger Casements 3-5 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-10 1981 Na Dúnaibh[4] 0-13 Glenfin 0-8 1982 Urris 1-5 Red Hughs 0-7 1983 Glenfin 2-10 Na Rossa 2-8 1984 Naomh Ultan 1-5 Cill Chartha 0-5 1985 Gaoth Dobhair 2-8 St Naul's 0-5 1986 An Clochán Liath 0-8 Naomh Conaill 0-6 1987 Naomh Bríd 0-6 St Naul's 0-5 1988 Na Dúnaibh[4] 0-6 St Naul's 0-5 1989[1] Na Rossa 3-8 Naomh Ultan 2-8 1990 Naomh Conaill 2-12 Réalt na Mara 2-10 1991 Termon 1-15 Réalt na Mara 1-7 1992 Milford 1-12 Naomh Ultan 2-8 1993 Na Dúnaibh[4] 1-13 Na Rossa 0-9 1994 Naomh Muire 0-8 St Naul's 0-3 1995 Buncrana 1-8 St Naul's 1-5 1996 Four Masters 2-15 Carndonagh 1-5 1997 Carndonagh 1-12 Glenfin 1-11 1998 Naomh Muire 1-10 Naomh Ultan 2-6 1999 Na Rossa 1-13 Malin 1-11 2000 Termon 0-16 St Michael's 0-4 2001 Glenfin 1-13 Malin 0-7 2002 Naomh Ultan 2-4 Buncrana 0-8 2003 St Michael's 0-18 Carndonagh 0-5 2004 Buncrana 1-7 St Naul's 0-4 2005 Glenswilly 1-12 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-7 2006 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-11 Gaeil Fhánada 0-8 2007 Gaeil Fhánada 0-10 Réalt na Mara 1-6 2008[14] Seán MacCumhaills 0-10 Na Rossa 0-7 2009 Gaeil Fhánada 2-9 Réalt na Mara 1-7 2010 Réalt na Mara 1-8 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 0-9 2011[15] St Naul's 1-5 Naomh Columba 0-3 2012[6] Termon 0-11 Aodh Ruadh 1-7 2013[16] Naomh Muire 1-13 St Naul's 1-7 Paul "Yank" Boyle[11] Danny O'Donnell[11] 2014[7] Cloich Cheann Fhaola 0-15 Buncrana 0-8 Joe McGarvey[17] 2015[8] Réalt na Mara 4-17 Naomh Colmcille 0-4 Tommy Hourihan Shane McGowan Team of the Year Brian Gavigan 2016[18] Burt 2-11 Milford 1-12 Martin Donaghey Paul McHugh Ronan McLaughlin 2017[19] Milford 2-11 St Naul's 0-12 Paddy Peoples Gary Merritt Danny O'Donnell 2018[9] Glenfin 1-10 Aodh Ruadh 0-7 Gerard Ward Gerard Ward Liam Breen[20] 2019[10] St Naul's 1-10 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 0-10 Stephen Griffin Kevin Mulhern Barry Meehan 2020[12] Aodh Ruadh 2-14 Cloich Cheann Fhaola 1-12 Johnny Gethins & Nathan Boyle Nathan Boyle Barry Ward 2021[21] Cloich Cheann Fhaola 3-4 / 1-11 An Clochán Liath 0-13 / 0-5 Mark Harley Jason McGee Michael Lynch 2022[22] An Clochán Liath 1-8 Naomh Columba 0-4 Conor O'Donnell Darren Curran Dessie Gallagher 2023[4] Na Dúnaibh 1-11 Malin 0-9 Ben McNutt Johnny McGroddy Kevin 'Cookie' Gallagher 2024[23] Termon 0-14 Naomh Columba 0-8 Ricky Gallagher Jamie Grant Caolan 'Jaffa' McDaid 2025[24] Naomh Columba 3-14 Malin 2-9 Pauric Ward and Philip Doherty Padraig Byrne Brendan Doherty

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-glimmer_of_hope_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-glimmer_of_hope_1-1) [Bonner, Declan](/source/Declan_Bonner) (23 April 2020). "You need that glimmer of hope". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. p. 55.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Manning, Gordon (26 July 2025). ["Brian McEniff: 'I have a huge grá for the county. I love Donegal, that's just it': An audience with the All-Ireland winning manager, hotelier, family man, talented pianist, and godfather of Donegal football"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2025/07/26/brian-mceniff-i-have-a-huge-gra-for-the-county-i-love-donegal-thats-just-it/). *The Irish Times*. Retrieved 26 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Ferry, Ryan (23 April 2020). "McConigley reflects on 2007 National League success". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. pp. 52–3.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dlive_15102023_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dlive_15102023_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dlive_15102023_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-dlive_15102023_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-dlive_15102023_4-4) McNulty, Chris (15 October 2023). ["Downings prevail against Malin to win Intermediate Championship crown"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1323606/downings-prevail-against-malin-to-win-intermediate-championship-crown.html). After wins in 1981, 1988 and '93, Downings go now to the top of the IFC roll of honour.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Forker, Mark (29 June 2015). ["Former Donegal GAA star helps Kilkenny footballers win British junior title"](https://www.donegaldaily.com/2015/06/29/former-donegal-gaa-star-helps-kilkenny-footballers-win-british-junior-title/). Retrieved 27 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aodhruadh_07112012_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aodhruadh_07112012_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-aodhruadh_07112012_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-aodhruadh_07112012_6-3) Hughes, John (7 November 2012). ["Final heartache for Aodh Ruadh"](http://www.aodhruadh.org/senior_football/match_report0197.php). Retrieved 7 November 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dlive_11112014_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dlive_11112014_7-1) Foley, Alan (11 November 2014). ["Cloughaneely defeat Buncrana to seal Donegal Intermediate title"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaelic-games/44717/Cloughaneely-defeat-Buncrana-to-seal-Donegal.html). Retrieved 11 November 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_25102015_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_25102015_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dsh_25102015_8-2) McNulty, Chris (25 October 2015). ["Bundoran show no mercy to crush Naomh Colmcille's dreams"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/bundoran-show-no-mercy-to-crush-naomh-colmcilles-dreams-in-intermediate-final/). Retrieved 25 October 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_14102018_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_14102018_9-1) Keenan, Shaun (14 October 2018). ["Glenfin comfortably beat Aodh Ruadh to win IFC A Final"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/glenfin-comfortably-beat-aodh-ruadh-win-ifc-final/). Retrieved 14 October 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_13102019_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_13102019_10-1) Foley, Alan (13 October 2019). ["St Naul's hold firm to overcome Cloughaneely and lift IFC crown"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/st-nauls-hold-firm-to-overcome-cloughaneely-and-lift-ifc-crown/). Retrieved 13 October 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dn_13102013_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dn_13102013_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-dn_13102013_11-2) McNulty, Chris (13 October 2013). ["Report: Excellent Naomh Muire win Intermediate Championship"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171031205344/http://donegalnews.com/2013/10/report-excellent-naomh-muire-win-intermediate-championship/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Archived from [the original](https://donegalnews.com/2013/10/report-excellent-naomh-muire-win-intermediate-championship/) on 31 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2013. While Griffin tapped over a free for their first score on 12 minutes, the former Donegal panelist and the St Naul's captain was forced to leave the action in the 17th minute.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_26092020_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_26092020_12-1) Foley, Alan (26 September 2020). ["Aodh Ruadh come good in final quarter against Cloughaneely to win IFC"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/aodh-ruadh-come-good-in-final-quarter-against-cloughaneely-to-win-ifc/). Retrieved 26 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Easy in the end for Ilen"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/easy-in-the-end-for-ilen-26010045.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 26 April 2004.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Ferry, Ryan (3 October 2019). "Gaels target historic final berth". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. p. 73. It's 11 years since Na Rossa last contested a county final, but they are hoping to qualify for the Junior 'A' Championship decider this Saturday when they take on Letterkenny Gaels. In 2008, Na Rossa reached the Intermediate final but lost by three points in the final against MacCumhaills.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dn_10102019_16-0)** "Finals can go any way — [St Naul's manager Barry] Meehan". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. 10 October 2019. p. 69. St Naul's are no strangers to the Intermediate final and this will be their 10th final at this level since 1985. Their record isn't the best as they were only victorious in one of those back in 2011. Since then they have lost to Naomh Muire in 2013, and most of the current side were playing in 2017 when Milford got the better of them after a close game.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["A day for Yanks in O'Donnell Park"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaelic-games/41311/A-day-for-Yanks-in-O.html). 23 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** McNulty, Chris (23 January 2015). ["John Paul Gallagher takes over at Cloughaneely as clubs gear up for new season"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150515171324/http://donegalnews.com/2015/01/john-paul-gallagher-takes-over-at-cloughaneely-as-clubs-gear-up-for-new-season/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Archived from [the original](https://donegalnews.com/2015/01/john-paul-gallagher-takes-over-at-cloughaneely-as-clubs-gear-up-for-new-season/) on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015. The Falcarragh club have been on the look-out for a new boss following confirmation that Joe McGarvey wasn't seeking another term at the helm. McGarvey guided Cloughaneely to IFC glory when they defeated Buncrana in the final.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** McNulty, Chris (15 October 2016). ["History made as Burt go to the well to pip Milford to Intermediate title"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/30670-2/). Retrieved 15 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** McNulty, Chris (8 October 2017). ["Late McGettigan goal wipes the pain as Milford win title"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/late-mcgettigan-goal-wipes-pain-milford-win-intermediate-title/). Retrieved 8 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** McNulty, Chris (9 December 2019). ["Mark McGinty reappointed as Glenfin manager"](http://www.donegalsporthub.com/mark-mcginty-reappointed-as-glenfin-manager/). Retrieved 9 December 2019. McGinty took over from Liam Breen, who had guided the club to the Intermediate Championship in 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dlive_13102021_22-0)** McNulty, Chris (13 November 2021). ["Cloughaneely end their IFC hoodoo with replay win over Dungloe"](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/sport/692972/cloughaneely-end-their-ifc-hoodoo-with-replay-win-over-dungloe.html). Retrieved 13 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dlive_01102022_23-0)** McNulty, Chris (1 October 2022). ["Darren Curran goal exorcises Dungloe's ghosts to beat Naomh Columba in IFC final"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221002021226/https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/926556/darren-curran-goal-exorcises-dungloe-s-ghosts-to-beat-naomh-columba-in-ifc-final.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/926556/darren-curran-goal-exorcises-dungloe-s-ghosts-to-beat-naomh-columba-in-ifc-final.html) on 2 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** "Termon See off Naomh Columba to Land Intermediate Crown." *Donegal News*, 6 October 2024, [https://donegalnews.com/termon-see-off-naomh-columba-to-land-intermediate-crown/](https://donegalnews.com/termon-see-off-naomh-columba-to-land-intermediate-crown/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** "Naomh Columba end famine to defeat Malin and win Intermediate title." *Donegal Democrat*, 5 October 2025, [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).

## Explanatory notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Roger Casements were a Milford-based side which disbanded after losing to Convoy in the 1982 IFC semi-final — [https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/naomh-ultan-dunkineely-donegal/history](https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/naomh-ultan-dunkineely-donegal/history).

## Further reading

- Ó Gallchóir, An tAth. Seán (2007). *The Book of Donegal GAA Facts*. Letterkenny: Browne Printers Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9542806-3-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9542806-3-5).

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.donegalgaa.ie/) of [Donegal GAA](/source/Donegal_GAA)

v t e Donegal GAA Founded in 1905 Based in Donegal, Ireland County teams Football Hurling Stadiums Ballybofey Glenties Letterkenny Competitions Football SFC IFC JFC Hurling SHC IHC JHC Category Commons

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