2014 Donegal county football team season

The following is a summary of Donegal county football team's 2014 season.

The 2014 Donegal county football team season was the franchise's 110th season since the County Board's foundation in 1905. The team entered the season looking to improve on their poor 2013 run and return to prominence for the first time since winning Sam Maguire MMXII.

Jim McGuinness returned for his fourth season as the team's manager. Pioneer of the game's revolutionary tactic The System, he entered the season with two Ulster titles (2011, 2012), and added a third this season, before becoming the first manager in team history to lead his team to two All-Ireland Finals.

Personnel changes
Manager Jim McGuinness installed a new backroom team, consisting of Damian Diver, Paul McGonigle and John Duffy.

Ryan Bradley and Ross Wherity both emigrated after the 2013 season.

Ciaran Bonner and Leon Thompson returned to the panel for the first time since 2009. Christy Toye returned after missing the 2013 season due to illness. Returning also were Thomas McKinley (Naomh Colmcille) and Antoin McFadden — both excluded in the early part of the 2013 season after featuring as part of the 2012 panel. Conor Classon returned to the panel as well.

Hugh McFadden joined the panel after manager McGuinness noticed him during the 2013 Donegal Senior Football Championship. Also joining were Stephen McLaughlin (Malin) and Darach O'Connor.

Panel
Team as per Donegal v Dublin, 2014 All-Ireland Semi Final, 31 August 2014

National Football League Division 2
Donegal won promotion from Division 2.


 * 2014 Division 2 table

Ulster Senior Football Championship
Donegal won the Ulster Championship for a third time in four seasons.

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Donegal reached the All-Ireland Final for the second time in three seasons.

Management team

 * Manager: Jim McGuinness
 * Selectors: Damian Diver, John Duffy, Paul McGonigle
 * Goalkeeping coach: Pat Shovelin
 * Strength and conditioning coach: Paul Fisher

GAA.ie Football Team of the Week

 * Included:


 * 21 July: Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey, Odhrán Mac Niallais, Patrick McBrearty

The Sunday Game Team of the Year
The Sunday Game selected Paul Durcan, Neil McGee, Neil Gallagher, Ryan McHugh and Michael Murphy on its Team of the Year.

GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year
Ryan McHugh won.

All Stars
Donegal achieved four All Stars.


 * County breakdown
 * Kerry= 5
 * Donegal= 4
 * Dublin= 3
 * Mayo= 3