Donegal boss Jim McGuinness optimistic on Jason McGee’s fitness for 2026

Jason McGee completed the full pre-season for Donegal and is pain-free for the first time in quite some time, boss Jim McGuinness has explained.

The Falcarragh native’s 2025 season was blighted by injuries that denied Donegal his full influence. And his absence from the off against Kerry in July’s All-Ireland final defeat was badly felt around the middle third.

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He did appear on 41 minutes against the Kingdom, replacing Ryan McHugh, who had to depart after landing awkwardly on his shoulder.

And much like the previously sprung Hugh McFadden, his physicality and presence had an immediate impact.

It’s been a frustrating period for both the player and his boss but the early signs in 2026 are much more positive.

Ciaran Thompson’s ACL tear means he’s in a real race against time as Donegal look to hold onto their Ulster SFC crown for a third season on the bounce.

A fit Jason McGee would certainly ease the burden. Another player with the potential to lighten that same load is Kieran Gallagher.

The Glenties man is late on the intercounty scene, having played on the same Donegal minor side as McGee, Gavin Mulreany, Peadar Mogan and Mark Curran back in 2016.

“We’re hopeful that will be the case this year,” said McGuinness when pressed on whether or not McGee can finally shake off the niggles that have dogged him the last few seasons.

“Jason has come through so much. He’s come through two or three years of very difficult injuries.

“He’s had two major surgeries on his hips. But he’s done all of pre-season this year. He’s not in any pain.

“And this is the first time he’s been able to say that. Now, he has some work to do to get to the level we know he can reach.

“But he’s going in the right direction and you can see he’s enjoying it. Kieran Gallagher also had a brilliant club championship.

“He made some mistakes today, took the ball into contact at times. But the flip side was he won kickouts and some really dirty ball.

“That’s an extra bonus for us, to have another big, physical player for that middle third area”.

The likes of Shaun Patton and Oisin Gallen also had surgical procedures carried out on ankle injuries in the close season but both players will hopefully be ready for action sooner rather than later.

Asked on the overall health of those that went under the knife over the winter, McGuinness explained: “They are all headed in the right direction and that’s really positive.

“I’d be lying to say everyone will be ready to go from the off in the league. We’d like to think we’ll have some of them. Everyone is training really well, their numbers are good.

“But we won’t rush them. Our priority this season is to develop the team, the depth of the squad and whatever results come in the league, we’ll be happy about that.

“It’s a different phase for us now and we just need to make sure we’re ticking as many boxes as possible to put the squad in the best place possible.

“If that means we win or lose games, we won’t become overly fussed about that”.