Mark Anthony McGinley

Irish association and Gaelic football goalkeeper

Mark Anthony McGinleyPersonal information

Date of birth|  (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth|  Letterkenny, Ireland
Position(s)|  Goalkeeper
Team information

Current team

|  Finn Harps
Number|  1
Youth career
2007–2009|  Fanad United
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2009–2014|  UCD|  75|  (0)
2019–|  Finn Harps|  55|  (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Mark Anthony McGinleyPersonal information

Irish name|  Marc Antoin Mag Fhionnghaile[1]
Sport|  Gaelic football
Position|  Goalkeeper
Born|  (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990 (age 34)
Letterkenny, Ireland
Club(s)
Years|  Club

|  St Michael's
Inter-county(ies)
Years|  County

2015–2019

|  Donegal

Mark Anthony McGinley is an Irish sportsperson. He has played Gaelic football as a goalkeeper for St Michael's and was formerly number one keeper[2] with his county team, Donegal. McGinley has also been involved in the sport of association football and currently plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division with Finn Harps. He is from Ards, County Donegal.[3]

## Playing career[edit]

### Early[edit]

McGinley played association football for University College Dublin in the League of Ireland. He spent time with Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League under the management of Ollie Horgan. He also spent time with League of Ireland side Finn Harps in 2014, while Horgan was manager, but injury prevented him from playing for them.[3]

### 2015[edit]

First featuring for his county's Gaelic football team under the management of Rory Gallagher, McGinley joined the senior team for the first time in 2015.[3] He was among thirteen new members of the panel announced in late 2014 for Gallagher's first time in charge; others included Ciaran McGinley and Eoin McHugh.[4] He served as a substitute for the All-Ireland winner Paul Durcan, following Michael Boyle's transfer to Boston before the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final against Derry; Durcan then transferred to Qatar, leaving the way clear for McGinley to become Donegal's goalkeeper.[5]

### 2016[edit]

McGinley started three games during the 2016 National Football League, playing against Dublin at Croke Park and Monaghan, as well as in the league semi-final in Croke Park, also against Dublin.[6][7][8] Gallagher had favoured Peter Boyle in goal for previous league fixtures of that campaign.[9][10][11][12][13]

McGinley's Championship debut came in the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Fermanagh; in goal from the start, he notably saved a Seán Quigley penalty which Neil McGee conceded during first half stoppage time.[14] McGinley retained his place in goal for the semi-final against Monaghan — which Donegal won after a replay, also featuring McGinley in goal.[15][16] McGinley played in the Ulster final, a narrow two-point loss to Tyrone,[17] the subsequent All-Ireland qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park,[18] and the All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Dublin at Croke Park.[19]

### 2017[edit]

McGinley started in goal during many games of Donegal's 2017 National Football League campaign, including Kerry,[20] the draw against Dublin,[21] Monaghan[22] and Mayo — the last of these in which he conceded a penalty which was dispatched by Cillian O'Connor, helping Mayo to a two-point victory.[23]

McGinley started in goal for Donegal in the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Antrim[24] and the semi-final loss to Tyrone,[25] as well as the All-Ireland qualifier victories over Longford[26] and Meath[27] before conceding a penalty and receiving a black card in the loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.[28]

### 2018[edit]

Under new manager Declan Bonner, McGinley started in goal during Donegal's opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League campaign against Kerry, only to be injured in the seventeenth minute; Peter Boyle was sent onto the field of play in his place.[29] He then lost his place as first Peter Boyle, and then Shaun Patton, started games in the league.[2][30][31][32][33][34]

## Return to Association Football[edit]

In February 2019, McGinley — by then neglected by the Donegal Gaelic football team and with no place in the side — signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps (under the management of Ollie Horgan, whom McGinley knew from his time with Fanad United).[3] In March 2019, McGinley announced his departure from the Donegal Gaelic football team.[3] He did so after Bonner opted for Patton as his first choice goalkeeper for the league fixture on the weekend of Saint Patrick's Day.[35]

Meanwhile, Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher sustained a long-term injury while playing against Dundalk, which — McGinley later confirmed — had led to Horgan contacting him.[35]

> "I was actually away. It was Easter time and I was in New York. I missed the call. My dad got onto me saying that Ollie had rang him wondering if I had changed my number or what. I wasn't expecting it, but I was delighted to get it, and it was something I was interested in. Soccer up until I joined the Donegal panel was always number one for me. It was an easy enough decision to make".[35]

In April 2019, McGinley featured in his first Finn Harps squad for a league fixture against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.[3] Playing for them by May, against Derry City, McGinley made some critical saves in the first half to keep Finn Harps in the game; however, they lost what was a cup tie after extra-time.[36]

McGinley went on to keep 9 clean sheets for the rest of the 2019 season[37] as he cemented his place as the Finn Harps number one choice, and subsequently signed a new contract for 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division season, as Harps remained in the top division following a victory in the play-off over Drogheda United.[38] He was voted Finn Harps Player of the Season in 2019.[39]

Harps further maintained their Premier Division status in a shortened 2020 season, finishing 8th position in the table, with McGinley playing all 21 league and cup games, as Harps reached the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup in the process.[40] It was Shamrock Rovers knocked the club out of the FAI Cup, McGinley later saying: "We deservingly found ourselves two up… I've been playing football a long time, since I was six years old. And that was the biggest injustice I've felt on a pitch in all my time. It was that bad, for the third penalty, the linesman was in the earpiece of the referee telling him it was no foul. He said it was a dive. He then told the referee the same thing to his face but for whatever reason, he still awarded it… It's something we've always had to contend with here. But it was a really obvious one that night".[39] McGinley helped Harps pick up seven points from a possible nine in October 2020, meaning the club steered clear of the relegation play-offs and finished in their best highest top flight for two decades, McGinley finishing runner-up in the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month vote and receiving Sports Personality of the Month from the Donegal News.[39] He was also voted Finn Harps Player of the Season for the second consecutive year.[39]

McGinley again committed to Harps for his third season, by signing a new one-year deal in December 2020, ahead of the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season.[41]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Meaning of the name". McGinleyClan.org. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
2. ^ a b McLaughlin, Gerry (8 March 2018). "Mark Anthony McGinley return a boost for Donegal". The Irish News. Retrieved 8 March 2018. "Number one keeper McGinley was forced out through injury during the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup… Boyle quit the panel after the match against Kildare in Ballyshannon after former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Shaun Patton replaced him for that match."
3. ^ a b c d e f McNulty, Chris (26 April 2019). "Mark Anthony McGinley in Finn Harps panel for derby in Sligo". Retrieved 26 April 2019.
4. ^ Walsh, Harry (21 December 2014). "Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015.
5. ^ Keys, Colm (11 August 2015). "Durcan's Donegal future in doubt as he plans move abroad". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 August 2015. "Durcan … didn't play in all of Donegal's league games after picking up an injury against Dublin and Michael Boyle was a very accomplished replacement. But Boyle opted to travel to Boston for the summer prior to the Ulster semi-final against Derry and Mark McGinley stepped up to become the reserve goalkeeper."
6. ^ Keane, Paul (28 March 2016). "Donegal turn blind eye to James McCarthy incident". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
7. ^ Shalvey, Colm (3 April 2016). "Allianz FL D1: Last gasp Monaghan avoid relegation". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
8. ^ "FL1 semi-final: dazzling Dubs demolish disappointing Donegal". Hogan Stand. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
9. ^ Bannon, Orla (30 January 2016). "Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
10. ^ "Cork crash to 10-point defeat as impressive Donegal go top of Division 1: Goals from Odhrán MacNiallais and Martin O'Reilly spurred Donegal to victory". The42.ie. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
11. ^ Campbell, Peter (28 February 2016). "Donegal march on beating Mayo". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
12. ^ Leen, Tony (7 March 2016). "Dogged Kerry win arm wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
13. ^ Campbell, Peter (13 March 2016). "Rossies signal greater intent after win over Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
14. ^ Mooney, Francis (12 June 2016). "Odhran Mac Niallais brace powers Donegal into Ulster semi-finals". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2016. "The same incident saw referee Maurice Deegan award a penalty, but Quigley's kick was superbly saved by debutant McGinley."
15. ^ Mooney, Francis (2 June 2016). "Monaghan and Donegal draw in Ulster thriller". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
16. ^ "Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Donegal 0-17 Monaghan 2-10". BBC Sport. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
17. ^ Mooney, Francis (17 July 2016). "Late scores help Tyrone to Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
18. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (30 July 2016). "McBrearty inspires Donegal to battling win over Cork and sets up clash with Dublin next Saturday". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
19. ^ Crowe, Dermot (7 August 2016). "Stuttering Dubs show their fallibility". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
20. ^ Foley, Alan (5 February 2017). "Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
21. ^ Foley, Alan (26 February 2017). "Murphy's injury-time free rescues a draw for Donegal as Dublin extend unbeaten run to 32 games". The42.ie. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
22. ^ Foley, Alan (27 March 2017). "Late escape for Monaghan as Donegal pay penalty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
23. ^ Gannon, Colm (2 April 2017). "Aidan O'Shea's late introduction proves decisive as Mayo see off Donegal to avoid relegation". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
24. ^ Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
25. ^ "Tyrone destroy Donegal to claim place in Ulster final". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
26. ^ Foley, Alan (1 July 2017). "Donegal late show enough to see off brave Longford: Rory Gallagher's team have won an All-Ireland and three Ulster titles since they last lost at home in Ballybofey". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
27. ^ Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
28. ^ Small, D. (22 July 2017). "Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance". Retrieved 22 July 2017.
29. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (28 January 2018). "Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0-7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash: The sides met in Killarney today". The42.ie. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
30. ^ Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018. "Boyle"
31. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (10 February 2018). "Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three: Paddy McBrearty impressed with 0-7 for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018. "Boyle"
32. ^ Bogue, Declan (10 March 2018). "Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 March 2018. "Patton"
33. ^ Graham, John (18 March 2018). "Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2018. "Patton"
34. ^ Gannon, Colm (25 March 2018). "McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop". The42.ie. Retrieved 25 March 2018. "Patton"
35. ^ a b c "McGinley has no regrets". Donegal News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
36. ^ "Derry into EA Sports Cup semis with extra-time win". BBC Sport.
37. ^ Fixtures. 2019 Extratime [dead link]
38. ^ "Finn Harps muck in to keep their Premier Division status for next season". The Irish Times.
39. ^ a b c d Craig, Frank (17 December 2020). "McGinley rewarded for Harps heroics". Donegal News. p. 61.
40. ^ League of Ireland premier division Extratime [dead link]
41. ^ "Harps Player of the Season sticking with Ballybofey side for 2021". 11 December 2020.

Sporting positions

Preceded by

Paul Durcan

|  Donegal Number One Goalkeeper
2016–2018  | Succeeded by

Peter Boyle

* v
* t
* e

Finn Harps F.C. - current squad

* 1 McGinley
* 2 Tourish
* 3 Donelon
* 4 Slevin
* 5 Webster (c)
* 6 Connolly
* 7 Boylan
* 8 McWoods
* 10 Timlin
* 11 McNamee
* 12 Rudden
* 14 McCaffrey
* 15 Carrillo
* 16 Nicolson
* 17 N'Zeyi
* 20 O'Donnell
* 22 Rainey
* 24 Boyle
* 25 McKeown
* 31 Logue
* 32 Siaj
* 33 Mihaljević
* 56 Duncan
* 99 Mulreany
* Manager: Rogers

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Tourish]: Conor Tourish
*[Donelon]: Regan Donelon
*[Slevin]: Rob Slevin
*[Boylan]: Gary Boylan
*[McNamee]: Barry McNamee
*[Rudden]: Luke Rudden
*[McCaffrey]: Adam McCaffrey
*[O'Donnell]: Sean O'Donnell
*[Rainey]: Ryan Rainey
*[Boyle]: Ethan Boyle
*[Logue]: Nathan Logue
*[Duncan]: Dylan Duncan
*[Mulreany]: Gavin Mulreany