By Michael McMullan

ST Eunan’s manager Kieran Donnelly says he is taking an individualised approach to the return of their county contingent.

Donegal went all the way to last year’s All-Ireland final with county players then due back playing club championship football within weeks.

But with the earlier All-Ireland exit this year, there is a wider window until the Dr Maguire Cup race starts.

Eoin McGeehin’s goal helped St Eunan’s to a recent 2-9 to 0-12 league victory over Naomh Conaill but his manager said the return of county players is an ‘individual’ thing.

“I’ve seen both sides of it so I appreciate the amount of time given to county football,” said Kieran Donnelly, who stepped away from his role as Fermanagh manager last season.

“I’ve had plenty of experience with the Scotstown (when he was manager) players as well – we had five or six in the Monaghan squad at that time.

“It’s all very much individual, we had Eoin McGeehin who played with us last weekend because he hadn’t made the 26 the week before and just wanted game time.

“For the players that need a break, the likes of Shane (O’Donnell), Ciarán Moore and Shaun Patton, they just get that bit of extra time.

“It’s time that they need obviously because the county is such an intense environment, more so now than ever. They need a mental break as much as a physical break.”

Donnelly cites the benefit of players coming back fresh before eyeing an assault on the Dr Maguire Cup, which they last won in 2024.

He uses the example of last season when county players were back in championship action within weeks of Donegal’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry.

“That is really tough on a club’s county players and tough on the club for preparation,” Donnelly points out.

“This year, they will get the break they deserve and probably they need too.”