St Michael's GAA (Donegal)

St Michael's
CLG Naomh Mícheál
Founded:1952
County:Donegal
Nickname:Bridgemen
Colours:Red and White
Grounds:The Bridge
Coordinates:55.1825, -7.9882
Playing kits
Standard colours

St Michael's (CLG Naomh Mícheál) is a GAA club based in Creeslough/Dunfanaghy in County Donegal. Located in the north of the county, the club is affected by rural issues such as low population and emigration; despite this they play at the top level in the Donegal Senior Football Championship and opened a new clubhouse in 2010.[1] The club colours are red and white.[2]

The club plays at the Bridge in Dunfanaghy.[3][4]

The club has rivalries with Cloich Cheann Fhaola,[5] CLG Na nDúnaibh and Glenswilly.

History

The club was founded in 1952. The club was previously known as Creeslough Dunfanaghy GAA club. They won the Donegal Junior Football Championship twice in 1983 & 1992. In 2003 they won the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship. They then went on to become Ulster champions[6] and reached the inaugural all-Ireland Intermediate football championship final where they were beaten by Ilen Rovers GAA of Cork.[7] 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley used to play for the club.[8]

The club reached the final of 2004 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Football Championship.[9] reached the final of the 2011 Donegal Senior Football Championship, only to lose to Glenswilly. This was their first final appearance at senior level.[10][11] They have since featured in 5 semi-finals but have ultimately failed to reach another final since, most recently falling to An Clochán Liath by a point in the 2024 Donegal Senior Football Championship.[12] They have, however, shown promise in recent years defeating 3 of the so-called "Big Four" in the championship in the 2024 & 2025 seasons having not done so for the previous 10 years.[13][14][15]

They contributed six players to the Donegal county team that won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park, including Colm McFadden, who scored a goal in the final and ended the season as top scorer. He also went on to win an all star[16] and was nominated for player of the year[17] which some considered him unfortunate not to win, pipped by teammate Karl Lacey,[18] possibly due to Donegal's emphasis on defence throughout their successful campaign. Christy Toye, considered one of the most skilful and exciting players of his era, was another key St Michaels player in the 2012 winning side. A humble gentleman who, despite his injuries and unfortunate medical condition diagnosis, played for his county for 15 years, and for his club until he was 38.[19] At the time of his retirement he was the leading goal scorer for Donegal in Croke park.[20]

Notable players

Managers

Years Manager
1952–? [Michael Gallagher]
? Danny Lafferty
? Éamonn Harkin
? Declan Bonner
2017 Michael Kelly
2019-2020 Gary O'Neill[22]
2021 Daniel McLaughlin[23]
2022–2024 Raymond McLaughlin & Cathal Sweeney[24][25][26]
2025– Daniel McLaughlin[23] & Martin McElhinney

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Club focus – St Michael's Dunfanaghy/Creeslough". Gaelic Life. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  2. ^ "gaainfo.com". Archived from the original on 24 January 2013.
  3. ^ "St. Michael's move to second place". Donegal Democrat. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  4. ^ "St. Michael's suffer first defeat at the hands of Naomh Conaill". Donegal Democrat. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  5. ^ Ferry, Ryan (23 July 2020). "Cloughaneely targeting improved performance". Donegal News. p. 60. Cloughaneely manager Michael Lynch is looking for an improved performance as he takes his side to the Bridge this Saturday to take on local rivals St Michael's at 7.30pm… 'We got a bit of a beating last week', said Lynch, who is in his fourth year as manager…
  6. ^ "Maghery Sean MacDermotts GAA: Archive News". www.maghery.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  7. ^ Ellard, Michael (26 April 2004). "Sweet Ilen call the tune in All-Ireland triumph". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  8. ^ Foley, Alan (23 January 2013). "McGuiness (sic) only too willing to help out McGinley". Donegal Democrat. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Easy in the end for Ilen". Irish Independent. 26 April 2004.
  10. ^ a b "Murphy is the star as Glenswilly triumph". The Irish Times. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Murphy magic proves key as Glenswilly secure first Donegal crown". Irish Independent. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  12. ^ Craig, Frank (29 September 2024). "Dungloe bridge 60-year gap to get back to county final with win over St Michael's". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  13. ^ Magheragallon, Tom Comack in (8 September 2024). "St Michael's clinch quarter-final place with win against Gaoth Dobhair". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  14. ^ Campbell, Peter (22 September 2024). "St Michael's come from eight down to shock Kilcar in Glenties". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  15. ^ Ardagh, J. (30 October 1937). "St. Michael's Church, Burleigh Street, Strand". Notes and Queries. 173 (18): 318–318. doi:10.1093/nq/173.18.318a. ISSN 1471-6941.
  16. ^ Russell, Adrian (25 October 2012). "In pictures: Meet your 2012 GAA GPA football All-Stars". The 42. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  17. ^ Kelly, Daniel (3 October 2012). "The 2012 GAA/GPA Football All Star Nominations Revealed". Balls.ie. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Lacey lifts footballer of the year award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  19. ^ Writer, Staff (23 October 2021). "St. Eunan's defeat 14-men of St. Michael's to reach SFC final". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  20. ^ McBride, Caitríona. "Christy Toye reflects on a career of success and defiance". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Donegal duo axed from panel". BBC Sport. 16 July 2004.
  22. ^ Foley, Alan (9 September 2020). "St Michael's manager Gary O'Neill cuts a frustrated figure after narrow loss to Kilcar". Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  23. ^ a b "St Michael's Manager Daniel McLaughlin glad with win at MacCumhaills". Highland Radio. 20 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Untitled [photos, four with the captions beneath the top two given]". Donegal News. 31 March 2022. p. 64. Daniel McLaughlin, St Michael's Team Manager 2021 presenting Hugh O'Donnell with the Player of the Year Award… Cathal Sweeney, Senior Team Manager, presenting Kyle McGarvey with the Young Player of the Year Award.
  25. ^ Ferry, Ryan (31 March 2022). "Glenfin gear up for Division 1". Donegal News. p. 70. Meanwhile, there will be plenty of eyes on Magheragallon on Saturday as Trevor Alcorn takes charge of Gaoth Dobhair when they face St Michael's, who will be managed by Raymond McLaughlin and Cathal Sweeney this year.
  26. ^ Ferry, Ryan. "Brighter outlook for St Michael's with Langan fit". Breaking Ball: Team-by-team guide to the Donegal Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships (Donegal News). 8 August 2024. page 55. "It wasn't easy without their star man, but joint manager Cathal Sweeney is looking forward to seeing the county star back in the red and white jersey. 'We're all excited to have Michael back this year', said Sweeney, who manages the team alongside Raymond McLaughlin."
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