Caolan McColgan hoping to reach the next level under Jim McGuinness' guidance 

Caolan McColgan believes he can make significant improvements under new Donegal boss Jim McGuinness. 

The Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin dynamo was one of the few bright sparks in a disastrous 2023, bursting onto the scene last January as he kicked three points from wing half-back in a famous opening NFL encounter against the then All-Ireland champions in Ballybofey.  

However, that initial spark under Paddy Carr’s watch soon extinguished as Donegal eventually slipped to Division 2 and suffered a humiliating Ulster SFC loss to Down in Newry. 

Carr departed and while Aidan O’Rourke steadied the ship somewhat, disillusioned Donegal supporters really didn’t know how a corner was going to be turned in 2024. 

But at their lowest ebb, and when they needed his intervention most, McGuinness once again agreed to take charge of the Donegal senior footballers.

And as well as the collective improvement, McColgan believes the mercurial Glenties man can also help make small tweaks in his own game that will make him an even better player. 

"I was 10 when we won the All-Ireland," McColgan, now 21, said, speaking at the

"He has been a hero growing up, my whole life. It's great, the buzz in the whole county is class. Everyone is chatting about it. Everyone wants to know what is going on - he has that sort of way about him. 

"Even the boys that had him before, they are even more buzzing now I would say than they were before. We just listen to whatever he tells us and are happy to go out and do it. And I hope I can just pick up as much information from him as I possibly can”. 

Donegal have a NFL Division 2 campaign to navigate through first but with Donegal drawing Derry, and pitting McGuinness against old adversary Mickey Harte, it’s a coming together that simply cannot be ignored. 

"It's a nice draw, we were happy enough with it," said McColgan with tongue firmly planted in cheek. 

"We have to beat anyone in front of us on the day, so we have to do it. Our lads, they are all great players and we have the right man in front of us. We have the players to do it, I think, so we can hopefully push on."

McColgan was speaking at the draw for this year's Dr McKenna Cup, in which Donegal have been drawn in a tough group with Tyrone and Armagh.