'Playing is a bug, it's something I wish I could do forever' - Diane McGlynn

Former Donegal star Diane McGlynn made a welcome return to the playing field earlier this month when she lined out in defence for the Ireland Women’s Over-40 International Rules side as they captured two test wins over Australia.  

The Glenfin star who retired from inter-county football 14 years ago, finally hung up her boots at the start of last season to take up a coaching role with her club side.   

But she was briefly brought out of retirement back in December to answer Ireland’s call when, unbeknownst to her, she was named in the Over-40s International Rules side.  

“The International Rules really was just an unbelievable experience,” said McGlynn. “It was funny how it all worked out; I actually didn’t get a message originally that I was called into the Ireland squad, it was only when I was scrolling through Facebook that I saw my name was mentioned, which I thought was originally a joke at the time.  

“My friends then started sending the team into group chats, saying that I was keeping it very quiet. But of course it was going to be kept quiet when I didn’t even know about it,” the former Donegal player laughed.  

“In the end Paul Gallagher texted me saying I was nominated by the county board to play, which really was a massive honour, and before I knew it, I was added to the team WhatsApp which just took off.”  

Despite playing at such a high level for both club and county throughout her adult life, McGlynn acknowledges how high the standard was with the Over-40s side, which was managed by Mayo’s Michael Moyles, with former Donegal player Maria Devenney serving as a selector for the team.  

“I couldn’t believe how professional everyone was, especially the management team,” said McGlynn. “We had an 11-week training program which we had to follow, which I needed to do because before this, I had done nothing in about 12 months, so I needed to get back training and get my fitness back up.  

“Honestly, the way they had the whole thing set up, I felt like I was back in an inter-county team which was brilliant, it nearly gave me the bite to go back to club football. I retired completely from club level last year and decided to help out on the coaching side, but this is my first full year completely away from a senior setup since I was a teenager.  

“I did go back to train with the club as preparation and I really enjoyed it. Like playing football is a bug, it’s something that I wish I could do forever, but I’m just so busy with family now, I think the time was right to call it a day when I did. If I’m to go anywhere now, it’ll probably be to the Mothers and Others,” joked McGlynn.  

"I’m loving my time with the underage at the minute, the main thing in coaching at underage level is about focusing on fun and that’s all I want to do at the minute. I’d go back to playing in the morning, but I have a young family now and they have to come first." 

However, despite her absence these days from senior football in Donegal, McGlynn still holds a deep connection to her former teams, citing praise for the current Donegal ladies team under John McNulty and how much the side is improving under the new manager.   

“I’ve gone to see Donegal a few times this season and I’ve been really impressed with them. They’re such a young side and yet they’re not far away from where they want to be,” said McGlynn.   

“John knows he has a challenge in building a new team, but the future looks bright because there’s definitely potential there.  

There are still a few experienced heads there which is very important in guiding the younger players and driving them forward. I think their work rate and fitness levels are really impressive.   

“You can see that they have ideas and that they’re working on a gameplan and trying things at training. They were unfortunate against Tyrone a few weeks ago, they made a few mistakes but that’s all a part of the learning process with a new team, that will all come together eventually.”