Donegal GAA Masters begin their campaign against Cavan
Gaelic Park, Bundoran will host the opening round game for the Donegal Masters on Saturday
Donegal GAA Masters begin their 2026 campaign with a home game against Cavan in Bundoran on Saturday (1pm)
It is one of six group games they will play. After Saturday they play Antrim at a neutral venue on May 23; home to Tyrone on June 6; away to Sligo on June 20; Roscommon at neutral venue on July 4 and finish with a home game against Monaghan on July 18.
After a successful pre-season trip to the US and playing well in their games in Philadelphia at a well-organised Donegal weekend, manager Eddie Crawford and his backroom team have been working away at being ready for Saturday’s opener.
Getting training facilities has been the greatest obstacle with the squad availing of facilities at St Columba’s College, Stranorlar thanks to the good offices of Mark Cannon.
Crawford is himself in rehab after a knee replacement but hopes to be in Bundoran on Saturday.
Speaking to DonegalLive, the manager says they have recruited well this year both in players and backroom. Kevin Sinclair, Four Masters and former player Diarmaid Slevin, Aodh Ruadh have joined the backroom team along with Simon McDevitt as kit man and Aaron Burke as strength and conditioning coach as well as retaining the others including Archie McLaughlin and John Joe O’Shea.
“John Joe is my right hand man. He has a real intelligent football mind. He calms things down. You miss things on the sideline but he misses nothing. He doesn’t come with problems only with solutions,” said Crawford.
There will be some banter in the next few weeks with Donegal paired with Kerry in the All-Ireland Series.
“Some people say he came up here 40 years ago spying and he’s still at it,” quips Crawford.
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Panel newcomers include Gerard Melaugh, Red Hughs; Eugene Maguire, Cloughaneely; Ciaran Doherty, St Eunan’s; Cathal Gallagher, Glenswilly; Shane Bradley, Na Rossa, as a ‘keeper; John Boyle, Benny’s brother, who is playing in Antrim.
“On the recruitment side it isn’t too bad,” says Crawford.
“We have a fair panel for Saturday. When you look at the fixtures we have this year, there are no easy games. In the first game against Cavan, they won the Shield last year. But they know it will be a tough game against us too.
“You would like to win your home games anyway. We’re training tomorrow night (Wednesday) and we’ll see how it goes from there.
“We’re looking forward to the start of the season and hopefully get a good start. We won’t get ahead of ourselves and the boys are really enjoying it.
“They enjoyed themselves in Philadelphia both on and off the field and the feedback from the trip was very positive. It is being held next year in Boston and hopefully we will be able to return. But first we have to concentrate on the season starting with Cavan on Saturday.”