Columba McDyer
# Columba McDyer

Columba McDyer (13 January 1921 – 18 September 2001) was a Gaelic footballer who played for Cavan and Donegal.

## Playing career

McDyer was from Glenties, and played as a centre half-forward. He played with the Cavan team that won the 1947 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final at the Polo Grounds in New York City. This resulted in him becoming the first Donegal man to win an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal.

Following his success with Cavan, McDyer returned to Donegal and his native Glenties where he coached the Donegal senior team for a number of years. He also collected a Railway Cup medal with Ulster in 1942 and he also played in the same competition with Connacht.

## Managerial career

McDyer managed Donegal. He was also an early influence on Jim McGuinness, Donegal's future All-Ireland winning manager. McGuinness described him as "an absolute gentleman to the fingertips, very well-educated… a very gentle, bubbly person".

## Honours

McDyer was inducted into the Donegal Sports Star Awards' Hall of Fame in 1987.

