Almost exactly 10 years ago, Jim McGuinness guided Donegal to an All-Ireland final by beating a stunned Dublin team in the semi-finals.
The Dubs were the reigning champions, and heavy favourites going into this game, but the Ulster side ambushed them in a match that has become famous.
Dublin would go undefeated for the next six and half years in the championship after that game, while Donegal haven’t reached the last four since.
That was McGuinness’ last year in charge of the county team, until his return this season in 2024, and he has picked up exactly where he left off, leading them to the semi-finals once again, only this time it is Galway that stands in their way.
What has changed, quite significantly in fact, is the personnel that the manager has inherited, as only Ryan McHugh and Paddy McBrearty remain from that famous side.
Although this current crop are only at the start of their journey and don’t have the All-Stars or All-Ireland medals yet to boost their reputations, they are undoubtedly a very talented group, brimming with potential.
With that in mind, we have decided to take on the thankless task of coming up with a combined 15 between the two teams, past and present.
1. Shaun Patton
We have a 2024 starter straight off the bat, as Shaun Patton arguably possesses the greatest kick out in Gaelic football right now.
The distance and accuracy that Patton can kick a ball is frightening, and so he gets the nod over the well respected Paddy Durcan.
2. Eamon McGee
One of Donegal’s greatest ever servants, Eamonn McGee was always going to get a spot on this team, as he played such an integral role to everything that was brilliant about that era.
Capable of playing wing back as well, McGee was often tasked with marking the opposition’s best forwards and more often than not did a great job.
3. Neil McGee
Without question, Neil McGee is the best full back that Donegal has ever produced, winning one All-Ireland, three All-Stars and an incredible five Ulster titles.
McGee put his body on the line every single time he put on the Donegal jersey, and such was his ferocious will to win, he would sometimes overstep the mark on the pitch, but really it was his footballing intelligence and guile that made him such a formidable defender.
There is a reason that McGuinness has him in the backroom team now, because even if he couldn’t have him on the pitch, he still wanted his right hand man beside him.
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4. Paddy McGrath
Brendan McCole is very unlucky to miss out in a space in this full back line, but Paddy McGrath was the ultimate warrior for Donegal.
The story goes that he broke his jaw before the u21 All-Ireland final in 2010, and told the doctors that he is playing anyway, which he did, and went on to enjoy a fantastic senior career winning five Ulster medals and an All-Ireland.
5. Ryan McHugh – 2024 version
So there are two versions of McHugh to pick from here, the 2014 one where he burst onto the scene and scored those incredible goals against Dublin, or the one we see today.
After much head-scratching, we actually decided that today’s McHugh is more the finished article, and if you were to look at the two most important players in this McGuinness’ team, it is probably McHugh and Peader Mogan, so we will chalk this up as another player for team 2024.
6. Karl Lacey
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One of the easier picks in this team selection. Lacey was the Player of the Year when they won the All-Ireland in 2012, and redefined the number six role, so it’s a no-brainer who gets the centre back spot on this team.
7. Peadar Mogan
The absence of Frank McGlynn is one that does not sit well with this writer, as the former All-Star was an incredible player in his time, but you just can’t overlook the special talent that is Peader Mogen.
If the season ended today, he would most certainly get the Player of the Year award, and if Donegal do progress to another final, there is no doubt that he will have had a big say in why.
Five points from half-back and a Man of the Match performance in the quarter-finals was just the latest addition to an incredible season so far.
8. Neil Gallagher
The man mountain that was Neil Gallagher, is your atypical midfielder. Big, strong, brilliant at fetching, and an engine that never ran out of fuel.
Two All-Stars and a glittering career in the Donegal jersey means that he could not be ignored.
9. Ciaran Thompson
Thompson was unlucky to miss out on the golden era of Donegal making his debut in 2016, but he is there now, in his prime, and ready to take his county into a new age of success.
There are few players in the game who has his shooting range, as he is well able to kick over the mass defence that is often in front of him, and when this team plays well, he is usually at the heart of it.
10. Rory Kavanagh
An all-time great in the county’s history, Kavanagh was normally deployed in midfield, but in 2014 was often used as a wing forward and for good reason.
The St Eunan’s man could kick scores, win his own ball, and would drop into the middle to give them an aerial threat and sweep up any loose balls.
Himself and Thompson could swap positions if needs be as both are effective in either role.
11. Michael Murphy
Donegal’s greatest ever player was the first name on the team sheet really, and this man in 2014 was at the peak of his powers, devastating any defence put in front of him.
Although he started most games at 14, more often than not he would be drifting out towards the 45 where he could get his hands on the ball and have more of an influence.
12. Daire Ó Baoill
This man has really announced himself in 2024, and whether he is played at wing back or wing forward, he still manages to rack up incredible scores.
His goal from distance against Fermanagh in the league was a sign of things to come when he did the same thing against Derry in the Ulster championship, and he has kept that score board ticking since, despite being tasked to doing a lot of tracking back.
13. Paddy McBrearty – 2014 version
Now captain of the team and still playing a huge role, McBrearty was one of the hottest forwards on the scene back in 2014, and for that reason we are going to pick his younger self to get into this makeshift side.
14. Oisin Gallen
Since Murphy’s retirement, Oisin Gallen has been a God-send for Jim McGuinness, as his ability to take the scoring pressure on his shoulders has been massive.
Clever, both-footed, well-balanced, and capable of shooting from range, the flying full forward is one of the most dangers strikers in the game.
15. Colm McFadden
After Murphy, McFadden is the county’s all-time top scorer, and had an unbelievable knack for popping up in the clutch moments to get a vital point or goal.
Now a part of the backroom team, McFadden’s fingerprints are still all over this current side, but nobody could do it better than the man himself.
