Declan Bonner had been reappointed for another two-year term as manager at the end of August 2021, when no other candidates emerged to succeed him.[1]
Paddy Campbell joined the management team.[2] Also joining the management team were Dr Ciarán Kearney and — as strength and conditioning coach — Mattie Brady.[3] Part of the responsibility of Brady — originally from Clonoe, County Tyrone — was to work with players arriving into the senior squad from underage teams.[4]
A new kit was launched, featuring a "shadow print" naming each of the county's clubs.[7] Players shirts began to feature "Circet" on the front, as the "KN Group" rebranded.[8] Sleeve sponsors were POD-TRAK and Global Hydrate, with Abbey Hotel on the back of the player shirts.[9]
The team for the fixture against Kerry was the same as the one given in the matchday programme.[23]
Injuries were a problem ahead of the Tyrone game; Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan and team captain Michael Murphy were all still injured, while Caolan McGonagle had sustained a hand injury thought to have ruled him out of the rest of the competition, and then there was Tony McClenaghan also now injured as well.[24]
Michael Murphy 0-6 (0-4f), Patrick McBrearty 1-2 (0-1f), Michael Langan 0-3, Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Jason McGee, Eoghan Ban Gallagher & Conor O'Donnell 0-1 each
According to Armagh's coach Kieran Donaghy, it was the decision of the players to push up against Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton's kick-outs in the 2022 All-Ireland SFC qualifier win — a decision that brought them back into the game. Donaghy said: "The boys have to get all the credit really because it was going away from us. We got the electric start (with Rory Grugan's goal after 10 seconds) then conceded six points in a row, but the lads wanted to push up on Patton's kick-out. We were in the stage of 'do we try to hold on until half-time then push on' but Rory Grugan said 'no, we're going to push up on it'. I think those two turnovers, we got the free then the black card and the penalty, they were a huge momentum lift. But I thought our half-back line was really good. Greg (McCabe) and Jarly Og (Burns) got a few vital turnovers before half-time and put us going the other way."[29]
Pauric McShea wrote, following the season-ending loss to Armagh: "If there was a technical report on Donegal 2022 it would possibly read 'Too cautious and not emerging from their passivity to have a crack'". McShea also wrote: "Dismay at Donegal's demise in the championship this year should be partially offset by the team's display in the first quarter of our game with Armagh last Sunday week. This was football of the highest order and real football people would understand that Michael Murphy's presence was a major factor in this show of attacking excellence."[30]
^Ferry, Ryan (25 November 2021). "Campbell joins Donegal senior coaching team". Donegal News. p. 88.
^ abBonner, Declan (23 December 2021). "A New Year but old worries unfortunately still an issue". Donegal News. p. 63. We have new faces on the management team in Paddy Campbell, Mattie Brady on S&C, as well as Dr Ciarán Kearney.
^"Brady takes on Senior Athletic Performance Coach role". Donegal News. 16 December 2021. p. 63. Tyrone native Mattie Brady has been appointed as Donegal GAA's new Senior Athletic Performance Coach. The Clonoe man beat off stiff competition for the position… Brady… will be responsible for the physical development, coaching and monitoring of senior and incoming senior development players progressing from the underage structure in the county.
^Craig, Frank (23 December 2021). "MacNiallais blow for Donegal". Donegal News. p. 64. The Donegal News understands that the mercurial Gaoth Dobhair man (pictured) has decided not to return to the set-up after they regrouped for the first time a fortnight ago… Ex county star Paddy Campbell has joined the coaching set-up alongside Bonner and Stephen Rochford while Tyrone native Mattie Brady, who is from Dungannnon, is the county's new full-time strength and conditioning coach. Dr Ciarán Kearney — who has worked very closely with Paddy Tally in the past — has also come on board. Dr Kearney's chief role, according to one player that[sic] previously worked under him, is one of 'building a culture around a team'.
^Bonner, Declan (9 December 2021). "McGrath was a tremendous servant to Donegal football: New jersey". Donegal News. p. 71. We are lucky to have good people involved in sponsoring us and they will see the names of their business on the jersey. Paul O'Donnell of Pod-Trak has come on board and he is a great help. Paul comes from Glencolmcille… Circet will be the name on the front of the jersey after they took over the KN Group. We have a good working relationship with Circet and Donagh Kelly and long may that continue. Liam Clancy and the Abbey Hotel have always been great backers of Donegal GAA, and our hydration partners Global Hydrate will also be on the sleeve.
^"Donegal launch their new 2022 kit". Donegal News. 9 December 2021. p. 66. The jersey also retains long-term sponsors Abbey Hotel on the rear of the jersey and the change of ownership of KN to CIRCET is reflected on the front.
^Dennehy, Cathal (14 December 2021). "Donegal footballers haven't delivered on potential since 2020 — coach Stephen Rochford". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 December 2021. Rochford revealed Neil McGee is still rehabbing from the serious back injury sustained in that Tyrone game but he expects him back in action during the league. 'I know he's going through his own programme with a bit of yoga and pilates and those items, but we are looking forward to seeing him at the turn of the new year', he said.
^Ferry, Ryan (16 December 2021). "Donegal need to deliver on potential — Rochford". p. 63. [Stephen] Rochford said: 'I'm not sure if people were aware but Neil picked up quite a nasty injury in that Tyrone game and had to come off after only a couple of minutes. It took him a bit of a period over the summer (to recover) and his club championship was hampered by it, so it's just a case at the moment of getting Neil up-and-running'.
^Craig, Frank (29 September 2022). "McGee checks out". Donegal News. Published as "McGee checks out…" in the Donegal News of the same date, 29 September 2022: pp 96 (back page); 88 (interview, "McGee steps away").
^ abFerry, Ryan (27 January 2022). "Donegal go in search of strong league start in Sligo on Saturday". Donegal News. p. 70. Their McKenna Cup campaign was steady if unspectacular. They won three of their four games and reached the McKenna Cup Final… It has been interesting that players who have been on the fringes in recent years like Michael Lynch, Conor O'Donnell, and Eunan Doherty have got plenty of game time, and they will be hoping to kick on. Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí is back available after an injury-hit campaign in 2021, while Tony McClenaghan will also be hoping he can stay at peak fitness and get a consistent run at the season. There were nine debutants in pre-season but many of those were a nod to the future. Only three — Shane O'Donnell, Charlie McGuinness, and Odhran Doherty — were used in each McKenna Cup game, and they will face a battle to earn minutes in the league… Hugh McFadden has been mainly used as a sweeper over the last four years, but he won't be available at the start of the league, and it will be interesting to see if another midfielder is given than[sic] role, or a wing-forward, or if it ceases to exist. Ciaran Thompson has been looked at in midfield in pre-season, and Odhran McFadden-Ferry has been tried at wing-forward, but will that persist going forward?… Neil McGee won't feature in the opening weeks, so there is likely to be an opportunity for Brendan McCole or Caolan Ward to cement a spot in the full-back line.
^Ferry, Ryan (24 March 2022). "Bonner's men fully focused on National League finale". Donegal News. p. 72. Bonner confirmed that Michael Langan, Caolan McGonagle, Oisin Gallen, Niall O'Donnell and Ciaran Thompson will miss out through injury again this Sunday.
^Ferry, Ryan (25 November 2021). "Campbell joins Donegal senior coaching team". Donegal News. p. 88.
^ abcCraig, Frank (23 December 2021). "MacNiallais blow for Donegal". Donegal News. p. 64. Ex county star Paddy Campbell has joined the coaching set-up alongside Bonner and Stephen Rochford while Tyrone native Mattie Brady, who is from Dungannnon, is the county's new full-time strength and conditioning coach. Dr Ciarán Kearney — who has worked very closely with Paddy Tally in the past — has also come on board. Dr Kearney's chief role, according to one player that[sic] previously worked under him, is one of 'building a culture around a team'.
^Ferry, Ryan (9 November 2023). "Gallagher to return as goalkeeping coach". Donegal News. p. 72. James Gallagher is set for a third stint as the goalkeeping coach with the Donegal senior football team. Gallagher, pictured right, was previously involved during Rory Gallagher's time in charge, while he also worked with the netminders during Declan Bonner's last seasons at the helm. The Meenlaragh native was not involved in 2023 with Declan McIntyre taking on the role. However, Gallagher has been coaxed back by Jim McGuinness… [Gallagher] has previous experience of working with [Donegal goalkeeper] Shaun Patton… [Gallagher] donned the gloves for Glenswilly Gaelic football team during their 2016 Championship success.
^Watters, Andy (15 December 2020). "A level playing field? Donegal coach Paul Fisher laments lack of resources in quest to close gap on Dublin". The Irish News. Retrieved 15 December 2020. But Paul Fisher, the man who has overseen that programme for the last six years has reluctantly decided that it is time to move on. With a gym to run, a family to support and a Masters to complete, the Letterkenny native has stepped down after playing a vital role in the successes of managers Jim McGuinness, Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner.
^ abCraig, Frank (21 November 2020). "Morrison determined to make swift return". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020. 'But the Donegal medical team were on the ball right away. I'd two missed calls from Cathal Ellis before I even got my phone in my hand… Dr Kevin Moran organised the MRI for the Wednesday… Morrison anticipated bad news and was braced for the confirmation of Donegal physio Cathal Ellis' earlier prognosis.
^ ab"Donegal stars recognised for Kildare displays". Donegal News. 10 February 2022. p. 65. Three Donegal men were named in GAA.ie's football team of the week. Jason McGee unfortunately picked up an injury in the win over Kildare but he was superb up until that point. He was named at centre half-back while Ryan McHugh was included at number seven… Michael Langan was included in the best 15 for the second week-in-a-row.
^"Peadar Mogan selected for GAA Team of Week". Donegal News. 2 June 2022. p. 70. Peadar Mogan was named in the GAA.ie Team of the Week along with three Derry players following Sunday's Ulster final tussle. Declan Bonner's side might have missed out by 1–16 to 1–14, however, St Naul's star Mogan's three brilliant points meant he made this week's cut.
^Ferry, Ryan (3 March 2022). "Donegal Minors face Fermanagh". Donegal News. p. 59. This is Luke Barrett's third season as Donegal minor manager but it will be the first time he will oversee a full season [due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions disrupting league campaigns]… Donal Gallagher, Sean Martin, Conor McGinty, Karl Joseph Molloy, Cian McMenamin, Eoghan Kelly, and Ben Rafferty were all part of last year's minor squad who reached the provincial final. However, the rest of the squad have limited experience in a Donegal jersey and the pandemic hasn't helped their cause.
