Dónal is an historian, researcher and educator. He graduated with a BA from Queen's University Belfast and a PhD from NUI Galway. He co-edited (with David Hassan and Roddy Hegarty) The Evolution of the GAA, based on a conference held at the Cardinal Ó Fiaich Library and Archive, Armagh, in 2009. He authored The Cups that Cheered: A History of the Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Gaelic Games (Collins Press, 2012), which examines the uniquely fascinating and sometimes controversial world of Irish intervarsity sport. His most recent book, The Pursuit of Perfection (Penguin Ireland, 2017), is a deeply personal memoir of his late brother Cormac, Dónal has also lectured at the University of Ulster. former national treasurer and secretary of Comhairle Ardoideachais, the GAA's Higher Education Council.

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Donal McAnallen

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