Donegal boss Jim McGuinness welcomes the return of Dr McKenna Cup 

Jim McGuinness says the extra game time that the returning Dr McKenna Cup will provide will be the perfect setting for him to give a chance to those on the fringes. 

Speaking at Saturday night’s Donegal GAA banquet in Donegal Town, the Ulster-winning boss also revealed that 18 fresh faces have been drafted into his squad on a trial basis. 

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And ahead of the start of their NFL Division 1 campaign, the returning pre-season competition will provide the ideal opportunity to run the rule over those on the periphery. 

“It’s a great opportunity to look at the 18 players that we feel caught the eye in the club championship. 

“There are lads with injuries and knocks right now that won’t be involved early on. There are development-level players too who will get an opportunity. 

“So we’ll use it like that. We’ll also look to get a few challenge games under our belt. It’s Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Armagh and Galway in our first five league games. 

“They are all big games, great games. Going away to Dublin and Croke Park first day out will be special. They have a new manager there and there will be a lot of energy there. 

“We have a lot of work to do. We have to get back on track physically, on an individual level and we have a lot of work to do in regards to the team”.

After claiming back-to-back provincial titles, Donegal eventually fell to Kerry in the All-Ireland decider. 

Still, with some time to reflect, McGuinness told his players that lifting the Anglo Celt remains a very special feat.  

“I want to congratulate the boys. Ulster medals… I spent my entire playing career chasing them. I was fortunate enough to be involved in 1992. And then five finals passed by after that and we didn’t win any of them.

“And they were all very good teams. So I’d say never take those medals for granted”.