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St Eunan's Eoin McGeehin is a player I have thought should be in the Donegal squad for years now, I think he was invited by Declan Bonner to join the squad in 2022, but couldn't due to work or University commitments. The man is a goal machine, a quiet assassin, one the most understated players in the County I think. He is having a great club championship so far this year. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1468 - 08/09/2025 22:10:27 2635408 Link
Replying To Commodore: "St Eunan's Eoin McGeehin is a player I have thought should be in the Donegal squad for years now, I think he was invited by Declan Bonner to join the squad in 2022, but couldn't due to work or University commitments. The man is a goal machine, a quiet assassin, one the most understated players in the County I think. He is having a great club championship so far this year." McGeehin has matured into one of the most consistent forwards in the club game, and has been effective every time I've seen him this year. Has he been part of the training panel at all under Jim? Forward line is a cause for concern at the moment. Don't want to write Murphy and McBrearty off, but we can't expect the same minutes out of either in 2026. Depending on ability to commit, would hope to see Martin, McGroddy, and McGeehin brought in over winter to bolster those options. Martin and McGroddy might have advantage over McGeehin as they are the right age profile at 22. In terms of current ability they're the standout forwards in the county after Gallen and Conor O'Donnell (and McBrearty/McFadden/Murphy). SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 509 - 09/09/2025 11:33:09 2635435 Link
Replying To Commodore: "St Eunan's Eoin McGeehin is a player I have thought should be in the Donegal squad for years now, I think he was invited by Declan Bonner to join the squad in 2022, but couldn't due to work or University commitments. The man is a goal machine, a quiet assassin, one the most understated players in the County I think. He is having a great club championship so far this year." Yeah he's playing great football and I watched the game at the weekend and he seemed to bulk up a bit, now maybe the jersey is tighter lol but he looked in great shape! Eunans have used 25 players i heard DV saying on his DL debate and thats not including Conor Parke, Lee Mc Gonagle or Brian Mac. Are they not in favor or are they just not committing I wonder. I've noticed Nmhuire in the Intermediate after a good league showing with promotion seem to be finding the going tough! Interesting champonsip from now thee with Glen playing Buncranna. Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 09/09/2025 11:56:05 2635440 Link
Replying To SurelyToGod: "McGeehin has matured into one of the most consistent forwards in the club game, and has been effective every time I've seen him this year. Has he been part of the training panel at all under Jim? Forward line is a cause for concern at the moment. Don't want to write Murphy and McBrearty off, but we can't expect the same minutes out of either in 2026. Depending on ability to commit, would hope to see Martin, McGroddy, and McGeehin brought in over winter to bolster those options. Martin and McGroddy might have advantage over McGeehin as they are the right age profile at 22. In terms of current ability they're the standout forwards in the county after Gallen and Conor O'Donnell (and McBrearty/McFadden/Murphy)." I don't believe Eoin McGeehan has been part of Jim's squads in 2024 or 2025, but I could be wrong about 2024. I have thought since 2022 that he should be part of the County setup, he brings a level of goal scoring that we badly need. What sets him apart is that he doesn't stand out, he is quiet and seems to drift into space unnoticed, even in crowded defense. I thought Niall O'Donnell might step up under Jim McGuinness, he has the skill and talent, but he doesn't have the hunger for it. Regardless of age profile, I think McGeehan should get a chance. I also agree on McGroddy, not sure about Martin yet though. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1468 - 09/09/2025 13:22:20 2635452 Link
Whatever about unearthing new forward options, I think a fresh voice on the sideline would be no harm either. Absolutely no disrespect to Neil, Colm or Luke - they have done a fantastic job. But a wee bit of freshening up, ideally from outside the county might give us from new impetus going into 2026. Maybe someone like Dessie Farrell? He has Donegal connections and has obviosuly managed at elite level before. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10011 - 09/09/2025 15:07:43 2635472 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Whatever about unearthing new forward options, I think a fresh voice on the sideline would be no harm either. Absolutely no disrespect to Neil, Colm or Luke - they have done a fantastic job. But a wee bit of freshening up, ideally from outside the county might give us from new impetus going into 2026. Maybe someone like Dessie Farrell? He has Donegal connections and has obviosuly managed at elite level before." Word has it Barrett is stepping away. Would have loved to have seen Mark McHugh go in there but Westmeath have snapped him up. peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1342 - 09/09/2025 15:18:17 2635475 Link
Replying To peiledoir20: "Word has it Barrett is stepping away. Would have loved to have seen Mark McHugh go in there but Westmeath have snapped him up." Maybe Mark is planning the top job post-Jim? Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10011 - 09/09/2025 16:26:29 2635483 Link
Replying To peiledoir20: "Word has it Barrett is stepping away. Would have loved to have seen Mark McHugh go in there but Westmeath have snapped him up." I dont think it needs another former McGuinness player in the backroom team. I think Jim needs a new voice , to bring some different ideas, challenge his thinking, look at the game slightly differently, maybe someone who has been a manager themselves. greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 735 - 09/09/2025 19:13:48 2635497 Link
Replying To SurelyToGod: "From scoring tallies this season and last, there surely needs to be introduction/re-introduction to the county setups for Johnny McGroddy from Downings and Eoghan Martin from Naomh Muire. New rules looks to suit them both and they're both a couple years younger than any of the forwards currently near the playing panel. Could see them thriving in the county set-up when S&C get a hold of them." He's very young yet, think he's still u18 but I've watched a couple cloughaneely games this year and young donnachadh o baoighill has been electric every time I've seen him play. Pacey and can kick off both feet but could be 2 years too early for him yet. gaelicloverdonegal (Donegal) - Posts: 5 - 09/09/2025 19:50:56 2635504 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Maybe Mark is planning the top job post-Jim?" Lacey will the next Donegal manager . TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8513 - 09/09/2025 20:05:59 2635505 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Maybe Mark is planning the top job post-Jim?" I hope not… eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 241 - 10/09/2025 08:37:57 2635525 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "Lacey will the next Donegal manager ." Not based on u16 results this year 11 up in second half of the semi and lost. Though I did feel he was set up for a fall in the manor he was announced as the manager farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 379 - 10/09/2025 10:19:08 2635537 Link
Replying To farneygael3: "Not based on u16 results this year 11 up in second half of the semi and lost. Though I did feel he was set up for a fall in the manor he was announced as the manager" Success, or lack-of, at U16 level doesn't say much of anyone's ability to manage senior level teams. The key objectives are generally to improve skills and training performance, identify player profiles, and gauge commitment and abilities. The winning of matches and competitions is the carrot on stick for the players, but not nearly as important for the adults involved in development squads. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 509 - 10/09/2025 11:23:53 2635555 Link
Replying To farneygael3: "Not based on u16 results this year 11 up in second half of the semi and lost. Though I did feel he was set up for a fall in the manor he was announced as the manager" He was brought back in to oversee the academy not be the U16 manager. His main focus is the academy as a whole and he is the successor to Jim unless something drastic changes. TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8513 - 10/09/2025 11:39:32 2635557 Link
Replying To SurelyToGod: "Success, or lack-of, at U16 level doesn't say much of anyone's ability to manage senior level teams. The key objectives are generally to improve skills and training performance, identify player profiles, and gauge commitment and abilities. The winning of matches and competitions is the carrot on stick for the players, but not nearly as important for the adults involved in development squads." Your spot on. At U16 level, unless you know them for a few years it's just a matter of trying to improve them and implement a system or style of play. You cannot judge a manager going forward based on this. Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 741 - 10/09/2025 12:08:43 2635561 Link
Replying To Scenicparish: "Your spot on. At U16 level, unless you know them for a few years it's just a matter of trying to improve them and implement a system or style of play. You cannot judge a manager going forward based on this." "Improve them" and "implement a system or style of play" in the same sentence as "you cannot judge a manager going forward based on this". farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 379 - 10/09/2025 13:53:56 2635584 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "Lacey will the next Donegal manager ." Karl Lacey is not guaranteed to be the next manager, but its clear that he is definitely in line to be a future manager of Donegal seniors at some point. Luke Barrett, Rory Kavanagh and Frank McGlynn are others who could be contenders in 2027 or beyond. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1468 - 10/09/2025 14:00:12 2635585 Link
Replying To TheFlaker: "He was brought back in to oversee the academy not be the U16 manager. His main focus is the academy as a whole and he is the successor to Jim unless something drastic changes." Do you think it would be good for Donegal or are you just saying what you think will happen. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1195 - 10/09/2025 14:29:53 2635595 Link
There's one man who should have been asked to oversee the county under age set up. I don't know if he was asked. Maybe he was but probably not. Everybody knows who that is. That's all I'm saying rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2666 - 10/09/2025 15:03:20 2635598 Link
Replying To Commodore: "Karl Lacey is not guaranteed to be the next manager, but its clear that he is definitely in line to be a future manager of Donegal seniors at some point. Luke Barrett, Rory Kavanagh and Frank McGlynn are others who could be contenders in 2027 or beyond." Nothing is guaranteed in life but this was all in the plan when Jim returned. Lacey is due to take over if Jim and current CB get their way. TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8513 - 10/09/2025 15:51:31 2635604 Link