Charles McGuinness (Gaelic footballer)

Charles McGuinness
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full-forward
Born (1996-10-18) 18 October 1996 (age 28)[1]
Height 6 ft 3[1] in (1.91 m)
Nickname Charlie[1]
Club(s)
Years Club
2015–
 Naomh Conaill
Club titles
Donegal titles 5
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2022–
 Donegal

Charles "Charlie" McGuinness (born 18 October 1996)[1] is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Naomh Conaill and the Donegal county team. He plays as a full-forward.[2]

Early life

McGuinness is a nephew of Jim McGuinness.[3] Charles is also the nephew of Charles, Jim's brother who died suddenly in 1986 when he was 16 years old.[1]

Playing career

Club

McGuinness began playing for Naomh Conaill at senior level in 2015, a year in which the club won the Donegal Senior Football Championship (SFC).[3] After several years as a reserve he rejoined the senior team.[3] His club won the Donegal SFC again in 2019, after a three-game final in which he scored a point in the first game, a penalty in the second game and two frees in the third game.[4] He also scored a goal in the 2019 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship final.[5] Naomh Conaill retained the Donegal SFC title in 2020, with McGuinness scoring a point from a free and playing a part in both goals scored by his club in the final, which was delayed until August 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[6]

McGuinness won the 2022 Donegal Senior Football Championship, scoring 1–1 in the final against St Eunan's, his goal coming in the second half,[1][7][8] his point from a free.[9] He was in midfield when the ball was thrown in, before taking up a position as full-forward, only to return to midfield for each of Naomh Conaill's kickouts.[1]

McGuinness also won the 2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship, this time scoring 1–2 in the final against Gaoth Dobhair, his goal again coming in the second half (46th minute).[10][11][12]

Inter-county

While still a boy, McGuinness was part of the county's backroom team for the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, which Donegal won.[3] He took an active role at training, taking charge of the balls and water.[1]

First featuring for his county as a player at senior level under the management of Declan Bonner, McGuinness made his debut against Down in the 2022 Dr McKenna Cup — in that competition he played in each of the four games, including the final of the competition.[13] He scored a point in three of the four games, including a free in the final (he did not score in the semi-final).[14][15][16][17]

A leg injury to Donegal captain Michael Murphy caused Bonner to send McGuinness on as a first-half substitute against Kildare in the 2022 National Football League.[18] McGuinness also started the league game against Monaghan, a loss which ended his team's winning run at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey that had been active since 2010.[19]

Honours

Naomh Conaill

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Kane, Cahair (19 October 2022). "Charles carrying on the proud name". The Irish News. Retrieved 19 October 2022. Young Charles — who often goes by Charlie — was born 26 years ago yesterday, October 18, 1996, a decade after his uncle had passed away… His 6'3" frame was matched by St Eunan's Sean McGettigan, but it was a non-contest in the skies.
  2. ^ "McGuinness relishing Glen test". Donegal News. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Craig, Frank (12 August 2021). "Practice makes perfect for McGuinness". Donegal News. p. 65. A young and much more innocent McGuinness was of course part of Donegal's backroom team under his uncle Jim back in 2012 when the county famously picked up the All-Ireland crown once again… McGuinness is now looking to pick up a third SFC medal on Saturday.
  4. ^ a b GAME 1: Campbell, Peter (20 October 2019). "Ulster champions Gaoth Dobhair face Donegal decider replay after draw against Naomh Conaill". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2019. GAME 2: O'Kane, Cahair (28 October 2019). "Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill proving inseparable". The Irish News. Retrieved 28 October 2019. GAME 3: Campbell, Peter (30 October 2019). "Naomh Conaill prevail in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. ^ Bogue, Declan (1 December 2019). "Kilcoo crowned Ulster champions for first time after thrilling win over Naomh Conaill". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  6. ^ a b Campbell, Peter (14 August 2021). "Naomh Conaill claim Donegal title after penalty shoot-out win against Kilcar". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Naomh Conaill win Donegal SFC title after narrow victory over St Eunan's". The Irish Times. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  8. ^ Foley, Alan (15 October 2022). "Controversy as Naomh Conaill crowned Donegal kings against 14-man St Eunan's: Shane O'Donnell's sending off was the major talking point after Naomh Conaill's one-point win". The42.ie. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Naomh Conaill edge 14-man St Eunan's to regain Donegal SFC title". RTÉ Sport. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  10. ^ a b Campbell, Peter (22 October 2023). "Magnificent seven for Naomh Conaill in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Charles McGuinness leads way to Naomh Conaill's seventh title". Irish Independent. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023. McGuinness struck the 46th minute goal as Naomh Conaill landed their seventh Donegal crown.
  12. ^ "Naomh Conaill outclass Gaoth Dobhair 1–16 to 1–8 in Donegal Football Final". BBC Sport. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  13. ^ Ferry, Ryan (27 January 2022). "Donegal go in search of strong league start in Sligo on Saturday". Donegal News. p. 70. Only three [debutants] — Shane O'Donnell, Charlie McGuinness, and Odhran Doherty — were used in each McKenna Cup game…
  14. ^ "Donegal edge experimental Down as McCartan returns to Mourne hot-seat". The Irish News. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  15. ^ Foley, Alan (15 January 2022). "Donegal do enough to see off Antrim to reach Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals". Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  16. ^ Bonnar, Dáire (18 January 2020). "Goals are king as Donegal reach McKenna Cup Final". Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Monaghan win first McKenna Cup in 19 years, Wexford hold on to reach Walsh Cup final". The42.ie. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ Campbell, Peter (6 February 2022). "Donegal have too much for Kildare despite losing Michael Murphy". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  19. ^ Campbell, Peter (13 March 2022). "Monaghan end Donegal's Ballybofey record to maintain Division 1 survival hope". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2022.