Donegal hurlers to be without some key players in 2026

Donegal and their manager Mickey McCann are back in harness and preparing for the new hurling season, which gets underway in early January. 

They got back together for the first time a number of weeks ago and as Mickey McCann explained, with three teams involved in the Ulster club championships - Setanta, St Eunans and Burt - the return to preseason has been a gradual process.

“Most of the St Eunan’s and Setanta lads have returned in recent weeks as they bowed out of their championship,” the Burt clubman and former county star McCann, who is looking forward to his ninth season in the hot seat.

“Burt are through to the All-Ireland semi-final, so it is going to be a few more weeks before they are back.”

The men from Hibernian Park are due to face the Sligo champions Easkey the weekend before Christmas.

McCann has also reported that he is down a number of key men for the forthcoming season, with two of the squad away on duty with the Irish Defence Forces and two more have called time on their county playing days.

“Steven McBride and Sean Ward are away with the army, and Christopher McDermott and Michael Donoghue have retired from county hurling. They are all big players and are big losses.

“Steven has nailed down the fullback position in the last few years, and Sean has been a big man up front for us.”

But it is not all gloom and doom. The squad will be boosted by the return of Nickey Rackard Cup winner and former Limerick All-Ireland U-21 winner Richie Ryan to the squad.

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“Richie took time out last year, but he is back and is in great shape. He has put in a huge effort, and he is in the best shape I've ever seen him in. We are delighted to have him back and given the shape he is in, we are really excited to have him back.” 

The Donegal boss is also excited about two young Sean MacCumhaills players that have been drafted into the squad in Jacob Malone and Dan Donnelly.

“They are two class young hurlers and have been two great minors, and the step up to senior is the logical next step.”

The season throws in on Saturday, January 3, with the McGuirk Cup, the Dr McKenna Cup of hurling beginning the season after a year without the competition.

Donegal’s opponents are unknown as of yet, but they will get down to the serious business of the Allianz National Hurling League at the end of January.

“The McGuirk Cup is a knockout competition this season. But we don’t know our opposition yet. The draw has not been made. There are 12 teams made up of Antrim U-21s, the two Belfast Universities, Queens and Jordanstown, and Louth.

“We would like to win a few games, which would lead us into the start of the league on Sunday, January 2,6 away to Tyrone. 

Donegal dropped back down to Division 3A at the end of 2025 for the first time in five seasons after being relegated from Division 2 and having spent the previous four seasons in Division 2B. 

Donegal made the drop despite winning two games, including taking the scalp of Kerry and running Meath to a point in Navan. The other win was over Tyrone.

Armagh, Fermanagh, Roscommon, Tyrone, Louth and Wicklow are the other teams in Division 3 A for 2026.

“It is a much tougher 3A than the last time we played in it with the likes of Armagh. Roscommon and Wicklow in it.

“It is more like the amalgamation of old Divisions 2B and 3A, and there are going to be no easy games. Given that we have been playing at the higher level for the last few years, the aim has to be to win promotion.  But it won’t be easy.

Donegal will also play in the Christy Ring SHC in 2026, having comfortably retained their status with wins over Meath and Tyrone.

Gabriel O’Kane from Derry is once again part of McCann’s management ticket, while Kilkenny native and former Cuala and Derry player Shane Waldron has been added to the Donegal coaching staff.