A different perspective for Magill

By Shaun Casey

THIS year’s Ulster Championship preparation is much different for Danny Magill. In two of the past three seasons, the Burren clubman, along with his Down teammates, has been eyeing up triumphs over Donegal.

In 2023, he kicked a point on his championship debut as Conor Laverty’s men overturned the Tir Chonaill county at Páirc Esler, Newry. He raised two white flags last April when Jim McGuinness’ men earned a six-point win in Clones.

This time around however, while Down are plotting an ambush at O’Donnell Park, Magill is on the sidelines. Yes, he’s still involved and offering input, but not the way he’d like.

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A cruciate injury picked up during the club campaign last year has derailed everything. He’s on the way back, but not ready for competitive action just yet.

“I’ve six and a half months (of rehab) done, which is hard to believe too, I wish it would go a wee bit quicker in fairness but I’m in good shape,” Magill said ahead of his county’s trip to Letterkenny on Sunday.

“The leg feels good; it’s getting bigger and stronger every day so there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel. It’s just making sure that I stay patient with it and trust the process and it’ll not be long until I’m back wearing the red and black.

“I’m back on grass and working hard with David Drake, the S&C coach, and Eoin Clarke, the physio. We’re at something every day if not twice a day. It’s a relentless process, it’s tough on the body and tough mentally but I’m at one with it now and looking forward to getting back.

“I’m doing straight lines and a bit of twisting and turning and cutting and stuff like that. It’s been ramped up a bit and it’ll probably be ramped up again in the next few weeks.”

Missing out on big occasions is just something he’s had to get used to. While Down were edging out Wexford in the Division Three final, Magill, their second top scorer in 2025 behind Pat Havern, was helpless.

“It is frustrating, but I had serious trust in the boys to get the job done,” he added. “We prepared very well and the boys knew that. I was frustrated in the sense that we were getting beat at a stage, but I was full of confidence in the boys too.

“At the start of the year we set out to go and win Division Three and it was never going to be easy and we knew that. To go six on the spin, and then Laois obviously beat us on the final day, but to go and win in Croker against Wexford, that’s what we set out to do.

“Whether that was by one point or by 20 points, we really don’t care as long as we have the trophy in our changing room and that’s what we did. We’re very happy with where we are at and we are looking forward to the Ulster Championship.”

Croke Park

Not every player that pulls on the county jersey gets the chance to line out at Croke Park, never mind climb the famous steps to lift a piece of silverware. Down’s ambitions are bigger than a Division Three league title, but Magill hopes that success can propel them further.

“It’s not every day you win a medal and a trophy at Croke Park, and I suppose that’s twice now that we’ve done that but at the end of the day, we were beat in the Tailteann Cup final (2023) and a league final (2024).

“We know what both sides of the coin feel like and it’s definitely better when you win. It’s a tough place to be when you don’t win but it’s the best place on earth when you do win and you do get silverware.

“All the hard training and the late nights and the early mornings, they all feel right at that moment when the full-time whistle blows, and you know you got the job done.”

Championship preparation is very different. But that doesn’t mean Magill can’t do his bit. Focus quickly shifted towards the Division One winners after the league campaign wrapped up, and Magill has been there every step of the way.

“I’m fully committed and fully invested in Donegal in the championship,” the 24-year-old explained. “It’s all that’s on my mind. It was Wexford in the league final but as soon as the full-time whistle goes and you’ve the night out with the lads, it’s all about Donegal.

“Every team is the same, as soon as the league finishes, it’s championship season and there’s a different feeling to championship. There’s a buzz, there’s an intensity about it so I’m very invested and fully focused on Donegal.”