Brendan McCole is the example all Donegal kids should follow - Gavin Mulreany 

Gavin Mulreany says that Brendan McCole’s attention to detail is what really makes him the country’s standout full-back. 

Clubmates, county teammates and even work colleagues at O’Reilly Sports, you’d think the Mountcharles pair would be sick of the sight of each other at this stage! 

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But it’s that closeness and proximity that allows Mulreany to see firsthand just how much time and effort McCole puts into even the little things. 

Mulreany saved a late penalty from Oisin Conaty on Sunday as Donegal just about seen off Armagh at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds. 

But while he was beaten from the rebound by the same player, an outstretched McCole was on hand to save the day. 

“Brendan is a brilliant example to any young player,” Mulreany explained. “The way he carries himself and the way he applies himself, he just works so hard on all of that. 

“He’s a credit to his family, his club and, on a hundred appearances, his county as well. 

“He’s very meticulous and he leaves no stone unturned. And, like I said, there he was today behind me helping out with the rebound as well”. 

Shaun Patton’s slow return from ankle surgery means Mulreany has started the 2026 season as Jim McGuinness’ first-choice goalkeeper. 

And given the latter’s form to date, it's going to be very interesting to see exactly what the manager does whenever the St Eunan’s custodian does return. 

McGuinness explained on Sunday that will be another while yet so it seems Mulreany will have further opportunities to stake his championship claim in the coming weeks. 

As well as that penalty stop, Mulreany also boomed over a pair of two-point frees in the 1-20 to 0-19 win. 

“It’s just great to have contributed to helping the side win another game. In the dying minutes like that, I felt we were the better side and it would have been really disappointing to have been pegged back. 

“There was a huge effort put in there right across the 70 or so minutes. I got across for the initial strike but Brendan, fair play to him, the rebound was past me but he was there diving to the rescue. 

“It’s a fourth win on the bounce and it moves us nicely onto eight points now”. 

On his own efforts at the weekend, Mulreany said he’s just happy to be getting minutes and, at the same time, be contributing at both sides of the field. 

“There was a serious atmosphere. You could really feel it there with that last free. It felt like a championship game. So it just builds confidence”. 

And on what representing Donegal at this level means to him, he added: “We’re in a privileged position. 

“All of us who get to represent Donegal, so many people would love to be in our shoes. 

“We’re a proud group and we want to push on and just do the best we possibly can. It’s early days, but it’s all encouraging”.