Jim McGuinness may extend Donegal reign beyond 2027

The All-Ireland winning boss has another season left on his term.

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness. Pic:  Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jim McGuinness’ time as Donegal senior football manager could go beyond 2027.

The 2012 All-Ireland SFC winning manager has another season remaining in his current four-year term and it was reported by Donegal Livelast week that he will be in charge next year.

McGuinness has previously stated his preference for four-year cycles – his first term covered the 2011 to ’14 seasons – but there are indications he might be agreeable to extending his second spell as manager.

There is expected to be at least one change to his backroom team, while there are positive noises around Michael Murphy 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.

The county lost 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

However, 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.

Speaking after last month’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry, Brennan was not hopeful it will be overturned. “One would hope that common sense will prevail, but we shouldn't call it common sense because it's not that common.” 

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: “I should be on the sideline for two league games next year.”

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