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06 Sept 2025

Rory Gallagher to release Jimmy’s Winnin’ Matches the Revamp for charity tomorrow

The idea to revamp and release Rory Gallagher's 2012 classic was that of former Donegal footballer Brendan Devenney, with all proceeds going to Donegal Hospice and cancer care

Rory Gallagher to release Jimmy’s Winnin’ Matches - the Revamp for charity tomorrow

Rory Gallagher, Isobell Rodgers from Donegal Hospice and former Donegal player Brendan Devenney

Jimmy’s Winnin’ Matches - the Revamp will be released on Monday, with the money raised going to local charities.

Kilcar native Rory Gallagher originally penned the song in 2012 and it ended up played 1.2million times on YouTube, as the Donegal side managed by Jim McGuinness went on to win the All-Ireland title.

This year, with McGuinness back in charge, Donegal won Division 2 of the Allianz League and the Ulster SFC and yesterday overcame Clare to confirm their place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in two weeks.

The idea was that of former Donegal footballer Brendan Devenney with all proceeds going to Donegal Hospice and cancer care.

“Promotion, Ulster Champions and now in the All Ireland quarter-finals,” Gallagher posted. “After the Ulster final I was asked, for the love of God, to update the lyrics of Jimmy's Winning Matches.

“So I recorded a new acoustic version with my boys Aidan and Shay adding backing vocals! It is available for download here and all proceeds are going to Donegal Hospice and cancer care... because I can't be a big capitalist all the time.

“Pictured is myself, Isobell Rodgers from Donegal Hospice and Brendan Devenney who suggested the whole thing! It really is a wonderful charity.”

Gallagher has updated the lyrics somewhat so Donegal’s class of 2024, players like Oisin Gallen, Shaun Patton and Eoghan Ban Gallagher and now mentioned in the song, along with Kilcar duo Ryan McHugh and Patrick McBrearty, the only player from the 2012 panel still playing.

“He Comes from Glenties man,
“He's been in Celtic man,
“He's been in Charlotte and he's even been in China man!
“We've beatin' Derry man,
“And maybe Kerry man,
“Yeah we beatin' anyone we meetin' in the final man!
“His destiny is not just written in the sand,
“Still got a plan, he's no lucky lucky man.
“Oh Jimmy's Winning Matches,
“Jimmy's Winning Games,
“Jimmy's bringing Sam back to Donegal again. Up Donegal!
“He's not from Senegal,
“He comes from Donegal,
“And if you want a mighty player Jimmy got 'em all...
“He got Gallen man,
“He got Patton man,
“He got McHugh he got McBrearty
“He got Eoin Bán !
“We'll crack a smile 'cause we've seen it all before,
“From Kilcar to Muff,
“From Letterkenny to Goath Dobhair..
(Chorus)
“His destiny is not just written in the sand,
“So this one's for Jim 'cause he's a mighty modest man...
“'The Team' are Winning Matches
“The team are Winning games,
“The Team are bringing Sam back to Donegal again!”

You can download the song here from Monday

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