Paddy Campbell will be a notable absentee from the Donegal team for Thursday night's McKenna Cup clash with UUJ after announcing his retirement from inter-county football. The Glenties clubman, who was part of Donegal's history-making National League winning side last year, represented the county with distinction for the past eight years, having made his debut at the age of 24. The 31-year-old was plucked from obscurity by Queen's University manager Dessie Ryan in 1999, and soon made the Donegal senior team after failing to play underage football with his county. Campbell won a Sigerson Cup medal in 2000 and subsequently become known as one of the top full backs in the game. However, his career was hit by controversy in 2006 when video evidence was used to suspend him following an incident involving Derry's Enda Muldoon in the Ulster football semi-final. Donegal boss Brian McIver is also planning for the new season without Ciaran Bonner, while fellow half forward Rory Kavanagh is facing a 12-week ban for allegedly interfering with a match official during the recent Donegal Division 1A League final between St. Eunan's and Ardara. Tweet

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