Shea Malone evolving with Donegal but still content to let some old habits die hard

Shea Malone’s four-year hiatus from Gaelic football means that there is an impulsiveness to the way he plays the game. 

Malone had hoped to forge a professional soccer career at Sligo Rovers but a door was closed on that chapter early on last year. 

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He was coaxed back into his GAA club set-up at Naomh Conaill through their reserve team but some ridiculous scoring tallies there meant it wasn’t long before he was promoted to the senior ranks. 

Missing out on what you’d call formative development in county academies or underage structures might be viewed by some as a circuit breaker to progress.

But in Malone’s case, it feels like he’s actually benefited from bypassing that conventional route. 

Ronaldinho - the great Brazilian magician - explained in a recent interview that he watches very little soccer now as “modern players are robots strictly following coaches’ instructions rather than expressing their own unique flair”.

When Malone first appeared on the scene with Donegal last January, he was having some big moments in games, like his goal against Dublin at Croke Park. 

But he’s slowly looked to evolve and the contrast to what he delivered in their recent win over Monaghan was a sign of real progress. 

His 2-3 from play had a bit of everything. Speaking after in Clones on that, he says that while there are some non-negotiables in Gaelic football, Jim McGuinness and his coaching staff are also encouraging the unconventional and ‘off-the-cuffness’ he splices in between. 

“I suppose you just get a wee bit more confident as you get settled and a bit more experience,” he said. 

“You’re seeing the level that is there as well. You’re looking to, not express yourself but make a real contribution across the game. 

“I’m trying to be a little more direct now, not forcing it but looking to make it happen a wee bit. Colm McFadden works alongside us and just wee pointers about getting the head up right away.

“The new rules mean there is that opportunity now to sort of gauge what's on and what’s going on. Then, if there isn’t an option, it’s a chance to maybe take your man on. 

“The more game time you get, the coaching from the likes of Jim, Colm and even though he looks after the defenders, Neil McGee has some interesting sort of pointers on what defenders hate to come up against. 

“I had a few years away from Gaelic so all of that, I’m really enjoying that side to it. Like, I got last season under my belt with Naomh Conaill and coming into the Donegal set-up, I’ve just tried to take as much on board as possible”.

Even though he was previously immersed in a professional environment in the League of Ireland, Malone explains that it wasn’t a simple segue coming on board with Donegal. 

“They are two different games. What they ask of your body is very different too. 

“But I feel like a lot has changed in a short period of time. That first night in the league in Dublin, I grabbed a goal and it was brilliant. 

“But a bit like I said, I’m looking to add more now to that. I hope I have but at the same time, there is so much more improvement to be made.

“But I like that process. I think everyone has room to improve. I see other lads and how much work they put in away from the collective.  

“But there are still times when maybe that freshness or rawness even can bring something different. 

“And if that’s taking the man on, or even taking on that shot a bit early like today for the first goal, I think those are things I don’t want to lose. 

“Again, maybe if I had been coached up through the ranks, I might have lost a bit of that”

Malone references the new rules quite a bit across the conversation and he readily admits that Gaelic football might not have turned his head once again had there not been that seismic shift in 2025.

“Yeah, it just got so exciting again and really quickly. Like, there was no fun being crammed in there, lost in the middle of a sea of defenders. 

“In a weird way, it just felt like things fell into place lovely for me. Soccer wasn’t working out and Gaelic football again just seemed to blossom.

A year earlier, I don’t think Gaelic football would have had that pull. I don’t think I would have had an interest in going back. 

“I’m actually so grateful now to both Naomh Conaill and Jim and the county boys for the chance I’ve got. It’s Gaelic football for me from here on in. 

“It’s a brilliant game to play and it’s even great to watch. I’ll sit now and watch other games and you can’t take your eyes off it. That has to be a good thing”. 

Malone and Donegal head back to Croke Park this Sunday for a rematch with All-Ireland foes Kerry. 

He’s notched a goal at HQ already and he admits he’d love to get another taste of that at the weekend. 

“I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a brilliant experience. It was cold, dark and windy but for me it was something I thought I’d never do. 

“I stood in the Hill for the All-Ireland final. I was there shouting for Finnbarr but not having any idea I’d be getting the chance I have. 

“It was just around the time I felt that soccer was maybe in the rear view mirror. I’d played a few league games for Naomh Conaill but I still probably wasn’t one hundred percent decided. 

But at the same time, I was only thinking about getting in the Naomh Conaill side and making an impact. 

“But what’s for you won’t pass you and all of that. So to be going back to Croke Park, a league final against Kerry, it’s another step up.

“So many of the more experienced lads won’t bat an eyelid but for lads like myself new to the set-up, it’s more ‘big game’ and ‘big day’ experience. 

“I hope the weather is kind and there is a good crowd. That would be something to really enjoy”.