Donegal ‘keeper McGinley tells how GAA absence made him forget some basics!

Mark Anthony McGinley has revealed a funny faux pas from his return to playing Gaelic football after a five-year absence.

It was in 2014 and McGinley, donning the St Michael’s colours for the first time since 2009, in a game against St Eunan’s at O’Donnell Park, had just moved home to Ards having spent five years with UCD in the League of Ireland.

McGinley has since become Donegal’s number 1 goalkeeper, having made his debut last March against Dublin in the Allianz League, and will face Antrim on Sunday in Ballybofey.

But in his first game back, almost three years ago now, McGinley forgot some basics!

“I remember the first club game when I came back was against St Eunan’s in O’Donnell Park. I came on at half-time and the ball went over the bar and I went and took the kick-out from the ’20-metre line,” he said.

“That tells you how long I was out of the game.”

Before his senior debut last year, McGinley’s last game in Donegal colours was the 2006 Buncrana Cup final.

“Maxi (Curran) has fond memories of that one,” McGinley laughs.

“He called me up to take a penalty and I missed it, he never lets me live that one down!”