New Ireland manager Martin O’Neil has close connections to Donegal – his late Grandmother Bridget Doherty originally hails from Lunniagh, Gaoth Dobhair – and his cousins include TD Pearse Doherty and soccer star Aidan McGeady!
Auctioneer Eamonn McBride found out he was a relation of the new Ireland manager through his Aunt Kate McBride who was a local historian in the area.
After she passed away five years ago, Eamonn took hold of the information she had gathered in her role as a historian.
Eamonn was asked to meet O’Neill through a mutual friend when O’Neill was in Dunfanaghy about 18 months ago to go through his family tree.
Eamonn revealed to O’Neill that his Grandmother came from Lunniagh, Derrybeg before she went to the Lagan were she was hired out for work.
It was there that she met O’Neill’s Grandfather and the pair settled in Co.Derry.
Eamonn and Martin O’Neill were related because both their Grandparents were first cousins, however it was also sensationally revealed that O’Neill was related to Aiden McGeady.
O’Neill had managed McGeady for years and the pair were completely oblivious to the fact they were both related until Eamonn revealed this fact when they met up last year.
Sheila Brogan the Grandmother of Aiden McGeady was related to Bridget Doherty meaning the former Celtic manager was coaching his cousin for years without knowing they were related. 
Eamonn McBride also revealed that O’Neill would also be a close relation to Sinn Féin politician Pearse Doherty.
James McCarthy qualifies to play for Ireland because his Grandfather Paddy Coyle also comes from Gaoth Dobhair.
With O’Neill now the manager of Ireland and McGeady and James McCarthy in his squad it seems the area of Gaoth Dobhair has contributed more than most in terms of providing managers and players for Ireland.
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