McGuinness and McCann to lead Donegal once again in 2026 as Lacey takes minor job

Karl Lacey will manage Donegal's minor footballers next season, while both Jim McGuinness and Mickey McCann will continue in their roles as senior football and hurling managers, respectively.

Lacey, a four-time All-Star and 2012 Footballer of the Year, was confirmed on Monday night. He rolled out the Donegal Academy in 2021 and 2022 before taking over at Kilcoo, where he won Down SFC titles in 2023 and 2024 before returning to oversee the fortunes of Donegal's U-16s. Earlier this year, in March,  Lacey was confirmed as Donegal GAA Academy's County Performance Lead.

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McGuinness was Donegal manager for four seasons from 2011 to 2014, winning three Ulster SFC titles and the 2012 All-Ireland, after guiding the county's U-21s to the 2010 Ulster crown and reaching the All-Ireland final. He returned to the post in September 2023 and has won the Anglo-Celt Cup in 2024 and 2025 and took Donegal to the All-Ireland final this season, where they lost to Kerry. 

McCann has managed Donegal's hurlers since taking the position in October 2017 and has won the Nickey Rackard Cup three times, in 2018, 2020 and 2024 and can now look forward to his ninth season at the helm. 

Gary Boyle will remain as Under-20 manager while Michael McCann will guide the Donegal hurlers for a ninth consecutive season. Offaly native Adie Gaffey will continue as U20 hurling manager for a second season with Lorcan O’Toole over the minors.