Dr McKenna Cup: Donegal prepare for their National League opener

McFadden was named man of the match in the decider at Healy Park, but believes striker Shea Malone should also get plaudits after scoring both Donegal goals.

The 20-year-old is a new face on the Donegal panel this year, making his return to Gaelic games after taking a break from the sport at the age of 16 to pursue a career in football.

After an unsuccessful spell with Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland and some persuasion from his cousin Dermot Molloy – an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 2012 – Malone returned to the game in 2025 with his club and has turned heads ever since.

He helped Naomh Conaill win the County Championship and impressed in the Dr McKenna Cup, winning the Player of the Match award against Antrim.

McFadden added: “He was excellent, he was Antrim’s man of the match and his finishing on those goals was excellent, he also had cockiness and composure.”

“He’s a great player and we’re excited about him.”

It has been a whirlwind start to the year for Malone, who was on Hill 16 watching Donegal’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry last year.

He hopes to sit on the committee for the remainder of 2026, but is keen to enjoy his part in Donegal’s first Dr McKenna Cup win since 2018.

“I haven’t played for years. I tried football, and things didn’t go the way I and Brick wanted.” [Molloy] “The guy was in my ear for a year or two,” he said.

“I thought I’d give it a go, went back to my home club and luckily I got over the line there in the tournament and went from there.

“Everyone will raise their hands, I’m not even thinking about it [playing against Dublin] “I’m happy to have the opportunities I had, and that’s all you can do when you’re new to the team, play as many minutes as possible and show what you’re capable of.”