Hugh McFadden: Wrong to label 2023 as a complete write-off for Donegal

Hugh McFadden says it would be wrong to title 2023 as a complete write-off season for Donegal.

The experienced Killybegs man made a welcome return from injury during last weekend’s League win over Fermanagh in Letterkenny.

McFadden, who was drafted into the Donegal set-up as a teenager back in 2014 during McGuinesss’ first time around, says so many players got valuable game-time last season and are now benefiting from that playing traction.

Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride, John Ross Molloy, Mark Curran and Caolan McColgan all debuted last year at senior level while the likes of Daire Ó Baoill, Odhran Doherty and Conor O’Donnell had prolonged runs in the side.

Ace forward Oisin Gallen also benefited from an injury-free season to finally find top gear in a Donegal jersey.

Paddy Carr, with Donegal as good as relegated from Division 1, was ushered out the door last March. Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley stepped up to guide matters and steadied things somewhat.

But shoehorn in the Karl Lacey and Academy debacle as well as a Croke Park review into how Donegal GAA ran their affairs, it’s perhaps not surprising most supporters have consigned 2023 to the dustbin.

But asked at the weekend whether or not anything was salvaged from the ashes there, McFadden had this to say.

“There is no point saying otherwise but the previous 12 months was a patchy enough spell. To have someone now like Jim and the direction and leadership he brings to the table, it’s massive.

“Even the backroom team he has in place, there is real clarity there in what we want to do. There’s great peace of mind. There is a freedom to that because it allows us to go and express ourselves as best we can.

“But listen, there are still some real positives to take from last year. A lot of lads stepped up when it was needed. There was a real togetherness there.

“It gave opportunities to players that hadn’t perhaps got the game-time they’d have liked in the past. So all that means there are more hands up now under Jim and even more players looking to impress and that’s a good thing”.