Ryan Ferry takes an in-depth look at the Donegal senior football panel as the start of the National Football League approaches, assessing where there is strong depth and where there is not, while also identifying players that Donegal need fit and firing to achieve their goals.
Goalkeepers
THERE’s little doubt that Shaun Patton starts the season as Donegal’s number one.
As has been the case since he broke through in 2018 when Patton is fit to play in the championship then he always starts.
He has had some injury concerns at times over the last two campaigns and Gavin Mulreany has deputised well.
However, there’s always been a willingness to get Patton back into the team and that’s likely to continue this year.
Patton is still working his way back to fitness and that could provide a few opportunities for Mulreany early in the season.
It’s not easy being a number two but Mulreany is a popular member of the squad and he has got meaningful minutes over the last two campaigns.
The St Naul’s man knows where he is in the pecking order but has shown that he can be counted on when required.
Pádraig Mac Giolla Bhride is also part of the panel.
The Gaoth Dobhair netminder trained with the team at times last year even though he wasn’t eligible to play.
He still has another two years at Under 20 grade but he will provide back-up when needed.
Key Player: Shaun Patton
Full-back line
There will be huge focus on Donegal’s defensive set-up in 2026.
Last year they sat back deep within the arc and that ploy served them well up until the All-Ireland final with Brendan McCole as the main-marker of the opposition’s dangerman, with others picking up players as they ventured forward.
However, Kerry were able to dismantle the tactic in the decider with David Clifford playing out the field and firing over two-pointers from distance.
The question remains can the best teams be defeated by sitting deep or will Donegal be forced to come out and press beyond the arc?
If they do opt to change things that could put more strain on the full-back line.
All-Star McCole will be crucial once again while Caolan McColgan forced his way into the team last year and is in a strong position once again.
Peadar Mogan has played at corner-back at times. It’s evident that he’s better suited to a freer role but the relocation works in a sense that it allows a way to get the best ball carriers on the field and it’s a similar story with Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher.
Stephen McMenamin is a no-nonsense defender who fared well in 2025 but wasn’t used for the big games after Ulster. The Red Hughs man is back on board and would revel in one-on-one combat.
Mark Curran was an unlucky man last year. He was the first sub on against Derry in the Ulster Preliminary Round but then picked up an injury and wasn’t able to work his way back in. The Dungloe man has solid defensive instincts.
Ultan Doherty has always been consistent when called upon for Naomh Conaill. He battles hard and it will be interesting to see if he can step up.
Cormac Gallagher of Termon was Under 20 in 2024 and is a young player who is developing well physically. He will be keen to get a chance to show what he can do.
Key Player: Brendan McCole.
Half-back line
Caolan McGonagle has been Jim McGuinness’s go-to number six when fit over the last two seasons.
Perhaps a change in approach could alter that but it seems likely that McGuinness will still want McGonagle at the heart of his defence as he provides real presence there and also adds to the press on opposition kick-outs.
Ryan McHugh was Donegal’s right half-back last year but it was interesting that he began to be replaced more often in 2025.
McHugh will be 32 in April and has played a lot of football but he still has plenty to offer and is likely to have a central role again this year.
Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher and Peadar Mogan are most at home in the half-back line as is Finnbarr Roarty, whose tackling and intensity is best served further out the field.
Eoin McHugh brings pace and athleticism and he was used regularly at the start of last year’s campaign. He will be keen to work his way into the reckoning.
Ciaran Moore is an option at half-back as is the versatile Oisin Caulfield from Na Rossa.
Sean Martin (Sean MacCumhaills) was Donegal U20 captain last year and he’s a player of huge potential while Termon’s Cian McMenamin has talent but injuries have curtailed his progress.
Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride has developed his body and could hold his own in the half-back line if required while Paul O’Hare (Naomh Columba) is a good player who is comfortable on the ball.
Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill) is only 18 and probably lacks a bit of physicality but he is an elusive player who could swim if thrown in at the deep end.
Key Player: Finnbarr Roarty
Donegal’s Kieran Gallagher breaks past Antrim’s Marc Jordan. Photo Evan Logan
Midfield
Donegal boast one of the best midfielders in the game in Michael Langan and he will be central to their plans once more in 2026.
He can line out at half-forward but gets more freedom at midfield which helps him score more. There’s definitely scope to get the Creeslough man kicking more two-pointers for the county as well as he is an accurate shooter.
If Donegal are to find another level in 2026, they are going to need Jason McGee fit and firing.
The Falcarragh man was one of the best performers when he came on in the All-Ireland Final.
However, he hasn’t been able to get his body right over the last two years.
Pre-season has gone well for McGee and if he can stay injury-free, he could be in line for a big season ahead.
Hugh McFadden was one of the big beneficiaries of the new rules in the Donegal panel as he is suited to more aerial contests. The Killybegs man rarely lasts a full match but he’s always up for the battle.
Kieran Gallagher from Naomh Conaill has been called into the panel after starring at midfield during the Club Championship.
Gallagher is strong and powerful and well-developed. He is a man that could make a mark if given the chance.
Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Moore and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride have played at midfield for Donegal before and could be called upon again.
With kick-outs now much harder to retain, gaining possession is tricky so all counties will be looking for big men who can hold their own in the midfield exchanges.
Key Player: Michael Langan
Half-forward line
The Donegal half-forward line will contain a Ciaran Thompson-shaped hole for at least a significant chunk of the season.
The Naomh Conaill man is hoping to make it back for the Championship and it is hoped he can add value from May onwards.
However, Donegal will have to maneuver the league campaign and Ulster without him.
That will be a challenge not only because he is a good player but also because he is a reliable left-footed free-taker, and that could provide an issue for Donegal with Patrick McBrearty now retired.
Shane O’Donnell and Ciaran Moore, pictured right, played mainly in the half-forward line in 2025 and with their ball-carrying ability, it would be a real shock if they aren’t regulars once again this term.
Daire Ó Baoill impressed during the league last year and was man-of-the-match against Derry before losing his spot but the Gaoth Dobhair man will be keen to nail down a starting position once more.
Jamie Brennan has the pace to be a threat at wing-forward as has rising star Kevin Muldoon from Four Masters.
Muldoon is still Under 20 as is his clubmate Turlough Carr, who is light but a clever footballer who likes to play at centre half-forward.
Langan, Eoin McHugh, Sean Martin, Conor O’Donnell, Cian McMenamin, Oisin Caulfield can all play in this line, and Donegal will need players who can transition them up the field and also provide scores.
Key Player: Shane O’Donnell
Full-Forward line
There’s definitely x-factor in the Donegal full-forward line but there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount of depth.
Michael Murphy is back on board for another year and while now 36, he’s still going to be a difficult man for defences to contain.
Oisin Gallen struggled to capture his All Star form in 2025 but he scored three points from play in the All-Ireland Final.
Donegal will be hoping a cramp issue can be sorted and Gallen can regularly last the seventy minutes.
After a slow Ulster, Conor O’Donnell came alive in the All-Ireland Series and brought his best displays in the wide open spaces of Croke Park.
There does appear to be a drop off after that. Jamie Brennan has played a lot of games over the last nine years but McGuinness hasn’t quite fancied the Bundoran man, although he does have pace and that is a valuable commodity.
Kieran Gallagher, Langan and McGee could play in at full-forward but it’s hard to envisage Donegal lumping the ball in long.
Eoin McGeehin has shown a good knack of scoring goals for St Eunan’s and will be keen to get minutes in the league.
Four Masters duo Seanan Carr and Conor McCahill have shown well at underage level and they are lively forwards.
Shea Malone’s rise to prominence has been remarkable considering he wasn’t taking gaelic football seriously until last summer.
It’s a big step up but he’s an accurate shooter.
Some of those young forwards are likely to get tested in the coming months but keeping the first choice trio fit and firing will be of huge importance.
Key Player: Michael Murphy
