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The 2016 Donegal Senior Football Championship was the 94th official edition of the Donegal GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for senior graded teams in County Donegal. The tournament consisted of 16 teams, with the winner going on to represent Donegal in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship.

Naomh Conaill was defending champion after defeating St Eunan's by a scoreline of 0–11 to 0–10 in the 2015 final. However, the club relinquished its crown when losing to Cill Chartha at the semi-final stage.

This was Réalt na Mara's return to the senior grade after making the straight bounce back up from the I.F.C. since being relegated in 2014.

On 16 October 2016, Glenswilly claimed its third S.F.C. title when defeating Cill Chartha in the final in MacCumhaill Park 1-10 to 0-12.

Glenfin was relegated to the 2017 I.F.C. after losing a replay of the relegation final to Na Cealla Beaga, thus ending a 15-year stay in the top flight of Donegal football.

Team changes

The following teams changed division since the 2015 championship season.

Format

The 2016 championship took the same format as the 2015 championship, in which there were four groups of four clubs, with the top two clubs qualifying for the quarter-finals. The club finishing bottom in each group contested relegation play-offs to determine which team would be relegated to the 2017 Donegal Intermediate Football Championship.

Group stage

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Knockout stage

Last Eight

Quarter-finals

• Cill Chartha 0-19, 0-4 Termon, MacCumhaill Park, 24/9/2016,
• Glenswilly 2-20, 1-14 Seán Mac Cumhaills, O'Donnell Park, 24/9/2016,
• Naomh Conaill 1-13, 1-8 St Eunan's, MacCumhaill Park, 25/9/2016,
• Malin 0-13, 1-8 An Clochán Liath, O'Donnell Park, 25/9/2016,

Semi-finals

• Cill Chartha 5-10, 1-11 Naomh Conaill, MacCumhaill Park, 2/10/2016,
• Glenswilly 0-9, 0-7 Malin, O'Donnell Park, 2/10/2016,

Final

Relegation playoffs

Relegation Semi-finals

• Four Masters 1-13, 0-7 Glenfin, Killygordon, 24/9/2016
• Ard an Rátha 1-9, 1-5 Na Cealla Beaga, Dunkineely, 25/9/2016

Relegation final

• Na Cealla Beaga 1-11, 2-8 Glenfin, O'Donnell Park, 15/10/2016,
• Na Cealla Beaga 2-13, 1-6 Glenfin, O'Donnell Park, 22/10/2016, (Replay)

Ulster Senior Club Football Championship

Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh

Michael Murphy was named as the recipient of the inaugural Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh.

References

1. McNulty, Chris (2 August 2017). "Donegal GAA – Who are the contenders to succeed Rory Gallagher?". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 2 August 2017. McDaid was part of the backroom team of Michael Canning last year as Glenswilly regained their hold of the Donegal crown.
2. "Donegal Democrat Archives". Irishnewsarchive.com. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
3. McNulty, Chris (15 May 2016). "Dungloe begin Championship season with comfortable win over Bundoran".
4. "Ardara overcome Glenswilly but injury doubt over Paddy McGrath". 15 May 2016.
5. "Bundoran play themselves back into championship with win over Ardara". 27 August 2016.
6. Foley, Alan (28 August 2016). "Neil Gallagher returns as Glenswilly get back on track against Dungloe".
7. Collins, Charlie (4 September 2016). "Michael Murphy returns to help Glenswilly progress with resounding win at Bundoran".
8. "Injury time penalty save sends Dungloe through at Ardara's expense". 4 September 2016.
9. Foley, Alan (15 May 2016). "Ryan McHugh's late free grabs draw for Kilcar at St Eunan's".
10. Foley, Alan (15 May 2016). "St Michael's come good to see off Killybegs at the Bridge".
11. Foley, Alan (27 August 2016). "St Eunan's storm to victory against Killybegs".
12. Collins, Charlie (28 August 2016). "Kilcar blitz St Michael's in Towney in SFC with McBrearty brothers goaling".
13. "Kilcar power past Killybegs to win Group B in SFC". 4 September 2016.
14. Foley, Alan (4 September 2016). "St Eunan's make SFC last eight following dramatic win at St Michael's".
15. McNulty, Chris (15 May 2016). "Malin burst the coupons with vital home win over MacCumhaills".
16. McNulty, Chris (15 May 2016). "Goals the key as Naomh Muire overcome Glenfin".
17. McNulty, Chris (27 August 2016). "Kelly's eye for goal sets MacCumhaills up for derby win over Glenfin".
18. "Naomh Muire and Malin can't be separated at the Banks". 28 August 2016.
19. McNulty, Chris (4 September 2016). "Six off as MacCumhaills edge Naomh Muire to quarter-final spot".
20. "Malin confirm top spot in Group C of SFC with win over Glenfin". 4 September 2016.
21. "Injury to Termon player mars game as Naomh Conaill get off to winning start". 14 May 2016.
22. Collins, Charlie (15 May 2016). "Gaoth Dobhair's fine form continues with SFC win over Four Masters".
23. Collins, Charlie (27 August 2016). "Termon spring a surprise as Sweeney goal seals win over Gaoth Dobhair".
24. "Five-star Naomh Conaill blow away Four Masters". 28 August 2016.
25. Foley, Alan (3 September 2016). "Termon's hot-streak sees them past Four Masters and into last eight".
26. Collins, Charlie (3 September 2016). "Naomh Conaill cruise into quarter-finals as Gaoth Dobhair make their exit".
27. McNulty, Chris (8 October 2016). "Referees confirmed for Senior and Senior B Championship finals". Retrieved 8 October 2016.
28. McNulty, Chris (16 October 2016). "Michael Murphy on fire as Glenswilly defeat Kilcar in Donegal SFC final".
29. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Michael Murphy". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.

• 2016 senior Gaelic football county championships
• Donegal Senior Football Championship