Declan Bonner’s tenure as Donegal senior football team manager will begin with a Ballybofey joust with Queen’s University on January 3.
The Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup gets underway next month with Donegal drawn in Section C alongside Queen’s, Monaghan and Fermanagh.
Donegal face Queen’s at Sean MacCumhaill Park and the Ballybofey venue will also host Donegal’s meeting with Fermanagh on Wednesday, January 10, when Bonner’s Tir Chonaill go head-to-head with a Fermanagh side now managed by ex-Donegal boss Rory Gallagher.
In between, Donegal take on Monaghan in Clones on Sunday, January 7.
Nathan Mullins, Ciaran McGinley, Stephen McBrearty, Gary Merritt, Alan Lyons, Stephen McMenamin, Kevin McBrearty and Tony McClenaghan will be given their head in the pre-season competition.
Odhrán Mac Niallais will also return to the fold, although Leo McLoone will wait until later in the month, possibly the start of the Allianz League, to make his return as he recovers from an injury.
