New era for Donegal but goals remain the same for Jason McGee

While Donegal failed to live up to expectations last term, Jason McGee’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with at that level certainly was one of the few pluses. 

Still only 24-years-old, but into his seventh season with the county, the Cloughaneely man’s early odyssey as part of the Donegal senior football set-up was blighted by injury - many of which were brought on by what he simply labels “growing pains”. 

But out the other end of all of that now, and with some real beef built to carry that rangy 6ft, 5in frame; McGee feels like he’s finally in a position to hold his own with Donegal.   

“I feel good, physically,” he said. “I was down with the flu around the Christmas and New Year period and that set me back in terms of training. It took a little while to shake. So that was frustrating because you’re looking to get those early yards under your belt with both ATU (Donegal) and training. 

“I felt I really benefited from that run of Sigerson games last season with the college prior to coming back in with Donegal. I’d no niggles and the early work kinda gave me a headstart. I felt I was already up to speed in terms of match sharpness. 

“The issues I’ve had in the past, hip, back, groin, I just felt that was all road tested so to speak. Because there simply is no substitute to the twisting, turning and contact games give you”. 

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Up to speed he might well have felt at the time, but when Donegal opened their 2022 NFL campaign in Markievicz Park against Mayo, McGee was once again named among the substitutes. 

However, having been sprung after just 10 minutes in place of the injured Ciaran Thompson in Sligo, McGee would go on to hold his place in midfield for the rest of the campaign. 

“Last year… I felt I made some progress. Going into the start of the season I was looking around and really I was wondering where my gametime or minutes were going to come from. At the very start of the league, against Mayo in Markievicz Park, Ciaran (Thompson) got injured and I’d to go in more or less right away.  

“Michael Langan and Michael Murphy had knocks and then big Caolan broke the hand. Hughie McFadden was also hampered with niggles. So it sort of opened up the door for me. I guess I knew I’d be getting a certain run of games as we were down to the bare bones around that middle third. 

“I remember saying to myself it’s up to me now to go in there and make sure I did enough not to be moved on. Yeah, I did see a real chance for myself if I’m being honest. One of my issues in the past has been keeping my own body right. But I hope I’m through all of that now. I think I am”.

The mood around Donegal’s prospects this season remains a subdued one. Supporters and pundits really aren’t sure how exactly to gauge their chances. Declan Bonner’s departure and that protracted process to find a replacement certainly hasn’t helped. 

Paddy Carr had barely made his introductions when Michael Murphy dropped a bombshell by announcing his retirement from the intercounty scene. 

But McGee’s opinion on what Donegal expect of themselves in 2023 is steadfast and certainly planes against that grain of uncertainty that perhaps exists outside the bubble.     

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“I think a positive start under the new regime would just give the thing a nice early bump. I’m really looking forward to things getting started. It feels like an eternity since that loss to Armagh. The new management have come in and it’s been really positive. 

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a new-look Donegal. It’s definitely a new era with Declan and Michael stepping away. But I look around the dressing room now, and even at 24/25, I’m seeing a good few lads in that bracket that really want to step up and push on. 

“That’s exciting. And I look around now also and I’m seeing a good few lads that are younger than me as well. Before, you might have felt like one of the squad’s younger lads. But we have that bulk of fellas now that are 24, 25, 26 or whatever. We can’t still be labelling ourselves as young players transitioning. We have to kick on now. 

“I believe we have enough quality and ambition to achieve what we want. I’d call us a seasoned group or a group that certainly has enough experience now that we should still be aiming to go toe to toe with the very best”. 

He added: “Kerry in Ballybofey, that’s a brilliant opener for us and supporters. The league is big business now. Supporters love it. There is a real energy and pace to it. After all the uncertainty we’ve had, as a group, going into the winter, this is something now I really hope the supporters come out to and enjoy. We have a big part to play in that, obviously.  

“Like I said, it’s not new-look but there certainly will be a new dynamic  and feel to it. We approached the McKenna Cup in a certain fashion. Paddy Carr had a good look at a lot of new faces. But the real business starts from here on in. It’s exciting times”.