The return of Jim McGuinness to the Donegal team is set to be one of the biggest GAA stories of 2024 - but he is not the first manager to make such a move.
Down through the years, many coaches have taken a second (or even third) stab at managing the same county.
Almost every one of those returnees has managed their home county - but there is one rogue in their midst.
Here's our breakdown of 12 of the most famous instances of GAA managers returning for a second spell with the same county.
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12 GAA managers who went back for a second bite of the cherry
Liam Sheedy - Tipperary hurlers (2008-10, 2019-21)
5 September 2010; Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy celebrates with the Liam MacCarthy cup alongside selector Michael Ryan, left, and coach Eamon O'Shea, right. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final, Kilkenny v Tipperary, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Sportsfile
Liam Sheedy was the man at the helm for the first two instalments of Tipperary's iconic back-to-back-to-back All-Ireland final meetings with Kilkenny at the turn of the 2000s and 2010s but unexpectedly stepped back from the role after Tipp stopped the Cats' five-in-a-row in the 2010 decider.
Nine years later, after taking up backroom roles with Offaly and Antrim, Sheedy returned to his home county on a three-year deal. He was to return to the top step of the Hogan Stand once more, as Tipp tasted All-Ireland glory with a ruthless 14-point victory over 14-man Kilkenny. He stepped away for a second time after Tipperary were eliminated from the 2021 All-Ireland quarter-final by Waterford
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Ann Downey - Kilkenny camogie (2008-09, 2016-19)
9 September 2018; Kilkenny manager Ann Downey during the closing stages of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final match between Cork and Kilkenny at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Ann Downey spent two years with the Kilkenny camogie team in the late 2000s, before stepping aside after the 2009 All-Ireland final.
Upon her return, she was to oversee a history-making campaign in 2016, as the Cats won an All-Ireland camogie title for the first time since 1994, and they would go on to reach the All-Ireland final in every one of her five years back as Kilkenny manager.
After defeat in the 2019 final, Downey stepped down for a second time, having brought the Cats back to the top of camogie.
Jack O'Connor - Kerry footballers (2003-06, 2008-12, 2021-present)
Jack O'Connor holds a rather remarkable record on this list. He has not only taken charge of Kerry in three separate spells - he has taken the county to Sam Maguire glory in each of those three spells.
24 July 2022; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor and his squad celebrate with the Sam Maguire trophy after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Kerry and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
2004 and 2006 saw Kerry crowned champions and, after two years without O'Connor in 2007 and '08, he would return and ultimately lead them to Sam once again in 2009. He stepped away once more after a quarter-final exit in 2012, and the years following saw a spell in charge of Kildare before he returned to the Kingdom ahead of the 2021 season.
He once again oversaw an All-Ireland winning campaign in 2022 and, after defeat in the final to the Dubs last year, he stays on for 2024 hoping to claim a fifth winners' medal.
Davy Fitzgerald - Waterford hurlers (2008-11, 2022-present)
7 September 2008; Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald watches his side during the pre-match parade. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final, Kilkenny v Waterford, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
When Davy Fitzgerald took over as Waterford boss in 2008, the county had not reached an All-Ireland hurling final in 45 years. He immediately changed that, leading the Déise to the decider in Croke Park (where they were subsequently mauled by Kilkenny).
Three more seasons in charge for Fitzgerald brought a single Munster title in 2010 before he departed to take charge of his native Clare (who he brought to All-Ireland glory in 2013). Also in the interim was a period in charge of Wexford which brought Leinster championship glory in 2019, before his return to Waterford ahead of the 2023 intercounty season. He remains in charge for 2024.
Kevin Heffernan - Dublin footballers (1973-76, 1979-85)
18 September 1983. Dublin manager Kevin Heffernan watches the final moments of the game. All-Ireland Football Final, Dublin v Galway, Croke Park. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
One of the most influential figures in GAA history, Kevin Heffernan's success with Dublin came across two separate spells in the 1970s and 80s. Initially appointed manager in 1973, Heffo brought the Dubs to All-Ireland success in 1974 and '76, before stepping aside from the role.
He was persuaded to return as manager for the 1979 season and ultimately stayed for a further six years - bringing Sam Maguire back to the capital again after the infamous 1983 final. He stepped down in early 1986.
Cyril Farrell - Galway hurlers (1979-82, 1984-91, 1996-98)
Like Jack O'Connor with Kerry, Farrell returned not once but twice to his role as Galway manager.
4 September 1988; Galway manager Cyril Farrell is congratulated by supporters following the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final match between Galway and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
He brought Galway to Liam MacCarthy during two of those three spells, winning the All-Ireland in 1981 before stepping away from the role the following year. He returned after just one year out, and would lead Galway to the All-Ireland yet again back-to-back in 1987 and '88.
Following his 1991 departure, he returned a final time for his shortest period in charge, a three-year spell which saw limited success and ultimately brought the curtain down on his managerial career.
James Horan - Mayo footballers (2011-2014, 2018-2022)
Mayo have reached eight All-Ireland finals this century, and half of those came under the stewardship of James Horan during two separate spells in charge.
Horan first took over in the winter of 2010 and was instrumental during the early years of what would become Mayo's strongest team in years. He led them to back-to-back finals in 2012 and 2013, before resigning after the epic All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Kerry in 2014.
26 June 2022; Mayo manager James Horan before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Kerry and Mayo at Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
There are a few strange parallels with James Horan's two spells in charge of Mayo. Four years after the end of his first four-year spell, he was back once more in the winter of 2018, and once again led them to back-to-back deciders in 2020 and 2021, before stepping aside in 2022 after defeat to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Séamus McEnaney - Monaghan footballers (2004-10, 2019-22)
15 May 2022; Monaghan manager Séamus McEnaney during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Derry and Monaghan at Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Séamus McEnaney brought Monaghan to the Ulster final for the first time in 19 years in the 2007 season, and they were to return once again in 2010 under the stewardship of 'Banty' - though he would step aside at the end of that season to take charge of Meath.
A spell in charge of Wexford followed years later before Banty returned to his home county ahead of the 2020 season. His second spell in charge brought controversy, with a breach of COVID-19 protocols earning him a 12-week suspension from his own county board in 2021 - but that season also saw his team reach the Ulster final for a third time under his stewardship.
He stepped aside after the 2022 quarter-final defeat to Mayo.
Jimmy Barry-Murphy - Cork hurlers (1995-2000, 2011-15)
A legendary figure of Cork GAA, Jimmy Barry-Murphy's playing career took in spells with both the county footballers and hurlers - and his managerial career took in two periods in charge of the hurlers, over a decade apart.
His first spell as manager saw him blood new young talent including Dónal Óg Cusack and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, and culminated in an unexpected All-Ireland title in 1999.
26 July 2015; A dejected Jimmy Barry Murphy near the end of the game. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, Quarter-Final, Galway v Cork. Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Picture credit: Dáire Brennan / SPORTSFILE
He returned for a tougher spell in charge between 2011 and 2015. Even though Murphy did not quite reach the heights of his first six seasons in charge, he would still bring Cork to the 2013 All-Ireland final and won a Munster title in 2014.
Mick Bohan - Dublin ladies' footballers (2003, 2017-present)
Mick Bohan spent a single season in charge of the Dublin ladies football team in 2003 - but it has been his second spell in charge of the Girls in Blue that has seen them become the dominant force in the country.
13 August 2023; Dublin manager Mick Bohan celebrates with team captain Carla Rowe after their side's victory in the 2023 TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
After Bohan returned in 2017, Dublin won the All-Ireland title - only their second-ever crown, and their first in seven years. They would go on to win the following three in succession, becoming only the third county ever to win four in a row. They claimed the Brendan Martin Cup once more in 2023 after an epic final against Kerry, and the instrumental Bohan remains in charge for 2024.
Kieran Kingston - Cork hurlers (2016-17, 2020-22)
Kieran Kingston's two spells as Cork manager were not too far detached, and both were marked by their brevity.
Kingston succeeded another man on this list (Barry-Murphy) as Cork manager in 2016, but stepped down just a year later after losing the All-Ireland semi-final to Waterford.
22 August 2021; Limerick manager John Kiely, left, and Cork manager Kieran Kingston after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Cork and Limerick in Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
He returned after two seasons away ahead of the 2020 intercounty season and went one step better than during his first stint, reaching the 2021 All-Ireland final. After defeat to Limerick that season, and an underwhelming 2022 campaign, Kingston stepped aside once again.
Jim McGuinness - Donegal footballers (2011-14, 2024-present)
7 January 2024; Donegal manager Jim McGuinness speaks to his team before the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Group A match between Tyrone and Donegal at O’Neills Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
The most recent returnee, and undoubtedly one of the most intriguing storylines entering the 2024 intercounty season.
Having made his debut as a player for the county during their 1992 All-Ireland-winning campaign, McGuinness brought Donegal to their second Sam Maguire crown during just his second season in charge in 2012. Another final appearance followed in 2014, after which McGuinness stepped away to pursue soccer coaching badges.
A turbulent few years for Donegal has ultimately seen them call on McGuinness once more, and he himself said it was an "easy" decision to return, with his county struggling. It has not been plain sailing, though, with McGuinness almost immediately earning himself an eight-week suspension for fielding an ineligible player against Armagh in the McKenna Cup.
Nonetheless, he returns with spells at Celtic, Derry City, and Charlotte Independence under his belt, as well as a UEFA Pro Licence. Hopes are high in Donegal that Jimmy may well be winning matches yet again in 2024.
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