Patrick McBrearty is expected to continue in his role as Donegal captain for the 2024 season.
McBrearty was named as Michael Murphy’s successor last season but didn’t get a great first campaign as skipper as he was injured for most of the campaign.
Team manager Jim McGuinness implied that no official call had yet been made but talked up the Kilcar’s man credentials.
“It’ll probably be Patrick. Michael Langan did a great job (against Roscommon) but it will be Patrick.
“You make those calls in training in many respects and he’s been there before and he’s got an All-Ireland medal with a lot of experience.
“He’s still a young man, only 30 years of age. He has been instrumental in all that’s happened and pushing standards for himself and the group. It’s a simple enough one.”
Speaking two weeks ago, Michael Murphy was adamant that there would be no u-turn on his decision to retire from intercounty football.
When McGuinness returned to the managerial hotseat, there was a belief in certain quarters that he would be able to coax Murphy back into the mix.
And the Glenties man confirmed that he tried to persuade the three-time All Star to don the green and gold county jersey once again, but it isn’t to be.
“We spoke surely to God. I do speak to him all of the time and had him half-tortured there for a while. But whenever Michael made the decision there the first time I said then to people that Michael won’t change his mind.
“I tried my best to make that happen. He played for 17 years and he retired at 34 years or age, so half of his life was dedicated to the senior team – not even the underage teams.
“So, unfortunately for us, we have to wish him well for now and let that boat leave the pier.
“Michael and I, we’ll be friends for life after the journey that we had. This is the first day that I’ve ever had as a Donegal manager, at 21s or senior, when Michael wasn’t in the dressing room.
“I actually said to him at Ryan’s (McHugh) wedding on Friday that it was weird not having him starting out on the journey.
“We have five or six inside forwards in the squad that we will look to develop in the next couple of years. That’s unfortunately the way it is. All brilliant players cannot go on forever.”
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