Introduction
Columba McDyer (13 January 1921 - 18 September 2001) was a former Gaelic football player for Cavan and Donegal.
Playing career
McDyer, a Glenties man, played as a centre half-forward, bringing an element of tactics to the forward line. He played with the great Cavan team that won the legendary 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".