DECLAN BONNER has confirmed that Odhrán Mac Niallais will not be returning to the Donegal squad in 2020.
There had been hopes that the Gaoth Dobjhair man – who withdrew from the panel ahead of the 2019 season – would be back in the green and gold.
However, the 27-year-old’s exile from inter-county football will continue into next year.
Mac Niallais helped Donegal to win Ulster in 2018 and went on to win an Ulster club title with Gaoth Dobhair. After their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Corofin, he decided to take a break.
While the Donegal management had been confident of a return, those hopes have now been quashed.
Indeed, sources close to the player suggest that he may go traveling early in 2020.
Bonner is expected to comment publicly on Sunday, after Donegal begin their 2020 campaign on Sunday against Monaghan. Donegal host the Farney in a Dr McKenna Cup game in Ballybofey.
None of Donegal’s big guns are expected to play in the competition, with Bonner set to experiment.
Tony McClenaghan (Moville) is back in the fold again, while St Eunan’s trio Conor Parke, Conor O’Donnell and Aaron Deeney have been drafted in.
The likes of Andrew McClean (Kilcar) and Daniel Clarke (Naomh Colmcille) have also been elevated, while Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and Ethan O’Donnell from county champions Naomh Conaill are among the new faces.
