Amidst weeks of speculation, Donegal player Odhrán Mac Niallais has confirmed that he will take a one year hiatus from inter-county football. It comes as a major blow for manager Rory Gallagher who will be aiming to advance to the Ulster football championship for the seventh consecutive season.
The 24 year old midfielder/forward was brought into the senior Donegal set up in 2011 and made his debut in the McKenna cup in 2012 under the guidance of Jim McGuinness. In the following seasons, Mac Niallais developed into a key player on the pitch.
Yet it was 2014 in which the Ghaoth Dobhair clubman caught the eye of the public as he played a crucial role in Donegal's Ulster championship win and journey to the All-Ireland final, where they would eventually lose to Kerry.
Despite the fact, rumours began to circulate that he was contemplating living in the United States while the opportunity was there.
Speaking to the Donegal Democrat, Mac Niallais confirmed his temporary departure;
I’m taking a year out, but not sure about the American part. There was no fall out or anything with management or players; it is just for personal reasons.
The Donegal management team now face a selection headache - for all the wrong reasons - as the squad is left short following the departure of All-Ireland winning trio Eamonn McGee, Colm McFadden and Leo McCloone.
While speculation continues to circulate about another member of that triumphant squad's future in the green and gold jersey - half back, Anthony Thompson. Losing the Naomh Conaill along with the wealth of experience which have already left may prove detrimental for Gallagher's ambitions.
With the Allianz National Football League less than a month away, the exodus of bodies will only serve as a burden for all those involved in the Donegal camp.
