Paul Durcan.
Donegal look certain to be without their All-Star goalkeeper Paul Durcan for the forthcoming Championship campaign.
The Irish Independent reports today that Durcan has committed to staying on in Qatar and does not intend returning home for the foreseeable future.
Durcan left for the Middle East, where his wife was taking up a teaching position, after last year’s Championship.
He continued to commute back to Ireland to play for his new club Ballyboden St Enda’s as they swept to Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland titles.
The same arrangement can’t be put in place at inter-county level. Donegal manager Rory Gallagher had left the door open for the double All-Star to return in the hope that he would be back in Ireland for the summer.
Donegal still have some decent back-up goalkeeping talent with Peter Boyle and Marc Anthony McGinley filling in during the League.
Michael Boyle, No 2 to Durcan in recent years, could also be back in the frame having recovered from a cruciate-ligament injury. Boyle spent last summer in the USA.
Last November Durcan indicated that it was “time to make some money as football wasn’t paying the bills.” The 32-year-old’s day with Donegal, which began in 2004, may now be over.
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