Donegal GAA has confirmed that Jim McGuinness will remain senior football manager for the 2027 season, marking his fourth year in charge during his second managerial stint. Meanwhile, Mickey McCann will continue as senior hurling manager for another two years following a County Committee meeting.
The continuity at the top of Donegal football brings a settled outlook to the Ulster county as planning begins for the upcoming campaigns. Jim McGuinness will extend his tenure into a fourth year of his current four-year term, as confirmed by Donegal GAA following a meeting of the County Committee on Monday evening.
Managerial Renewals Across Donegal Codes
Alongside the confirmation of McGuinness for the football side, the county committee locked in leadership for the senior hurlers. Donegal GAA confirmed the news on social media on Monday evening, stating: Following a meeting of the County Committee, Donegal confirm the appointment of Michael McCann as Senior Hurling Manager for a two year term and Jim McGuinness as Senior Football manager for a one year term.
Mickey McCann will continue to manage the county’s senior hurlers for a further two years, extending a tenure in the role that began back in 2018.
McGuinness initially returned to the role on a three-year deal with an option of a fourth. While his current commitment covers the 2027 season, reporting indicates that his time in charge could go beyond 2027. McGuinness has previously stated his preference for four-year cycles—his first term covered the 2011 to ’14 seasons—and there are indications he might be agreeable to extending his second spell as manager.
Reviewing the Recent Campaign and Personnel Outlook
The decision to back McGuinness follows a mixed season for Donegal. During his second term, the manager helped guide Donegal to back-to-back Ulster titles in 2024 and 2025 and an All-Ireland final appearance in 2025. Earlier this year, the 53-year-old led the county to a Football League Division One final success over Kerry in March.
However, the championship season proved to be a disappointing one. They were defeated by Down in the quarter-finals of the Ulster SFC and went down to Dublin after extra-time in Round 3 of the All-Ireland series. Their earlier championship run included a defeat to Down in their Ulster SFC opener in Letterkenny, and followed a win over Kerry in Killarney with a home defeat to Cork in Ballybofey and an extra-time loss to Dublin in Croke Park.
Looking ahead to the setup around the squad, there is expected to be at least one change to his backroom team. At the same time, there are positive noises around Michael Murphy potentially playing on for an 18th season in 2027. The Glenswilly man came out of retirement after two years in 2025. The 37-year-old had an ankle operation following last year’s All-Ireland SFC final defeat to Kerry but was back in action for the early part of the National League and started all four of Donegal’s four championship games this year.
Broader Central Council Discipline Questions
Beyond Donegal’s internal planning, GAA administration matters continue to draw attention, notably regarding Dublin manager Ger Brennan. Central Council’s October meeting could determine whether Dublin manager Ger Brennan has to serve a two-game suspension in the county’s Division 2 games in January.
Brennan already missed four championship games as a result of the 12-week ban that he was recommended for his involvement in a half-time altercation with a Galway strength and conditioning coach in the counties’ Division 1, Round 7 game in Salthill last March. Part of his punishment for physical interference with a team official
included a two-game ban in the same competition, irrespective of it taking place the following season. Dublin may move to request the remainder of the ban be quashed.
“One would hope that common sense will prevail, but we shouldn’t call it common sense because it’s not that common.”
Ger Brennan, Dublin Manager via Irish Examiner
Speaking after last month’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry, Brennan was not hopeful it will be overturned. Widely considered to be a harsh penalty, the Dublin County Board or the GAA’s rules advisory body could yet recommend amending it next year. Following a conversation with GAA president Jarlath Burns who previously mentioned that people felt the ban was disproportionate
, Brennan said Congress is the opportunity to try to avoid this happening again.
He added that he should be on the sideline for two league games next year.
