Frank McGlynn has revealed how he might never have played football for Donegal were it not for Wayne Rooney.

In his youth, McGlynn had been a promising underage soccer player until getting a reality check in 2000 at 14 when he spent a week training in the same Everton youth team as the Manchester United striker.

The Glenfin native was also part of the Everton team which Rooney played in at the Milk Cup in the same year - but the staunch competition saw him fail to win a starting place up front.

"I played up front but there was stiff competition with Wayne there," McGlynn recalled in today's Irish Examiner.

"Even at the time everyone was talking about him. All the players and coaches knew he was the one who was guaranteed to make it and come through.

"He was one of the guaranteed starters whereas I was a fleeting substitute brought on from time to time.

"He is the only player from that squad that I can recall watching on TV in later years."

Having played with Drumkeen United, McGlynn was spotted by an Everton scout whilst playing for a Donegal schools team in the Kennedy Cup in Limerick and revealed that he also had trials at Leeds, Wolves and Preston.

His trips over to the UK finished by the time he was 16 and he admitted that he wishes the opportunity hadn't come so soon in life for him.

"Being honest, I don't think I understood the enormity of what was happening to me," McGlynn stated.

"I was going over to play a football match and if I didn't play well, sure I didn't play well. You don't appreciate the enormity of what you are playing for.

"If I had to do it again, I'd rather have those few years under my belt."

McGlynn has since gone on to win an All-Ireland and three Ulster titles in what has spanned into a 10-year playing career with Donegal, whom are currently gearing up for their National League opener with Down this Saturday night in Newry.

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