PAUL Durcan’s imminent move to Qatar means that at least one of the current crop of Donegal footballers won’t be on board for the 2016 National League campaign at least.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper is upping sticks for the Middle East, where his wife, Edel, is set to take up a teaching contract.
While Durcan may be back in time for next year’s Ulster Championship, that remains a best-case scenario at this stage for Donegal, who will definitely have Frank McGlynn for 2016.
“Most people only stay for a year and he is not intending to be out there long-term,” Donegal manager Rory Gallagher told the Belfast Telegraph.
“It’s very much undecided and we haven’t spoken at the end of the year, but he wasn’t ruling out being back in time for the start of next year’s Championship.
“He is going for the foreseeable future but he hasn’t ruled out the possibility that he might be back in time to play next year. He has left that open.”
Durcan, an All-Star in 2012 and again in 2014, is now based full-time in Dublin where he works with 3D Personnel, a construction recruitment company.
Earlier this year, the Donegal town native transferred from Four Masters to Ballyboden St Enda’s in Dublin.
Gallagher believes that a third All-Star is not beyond Durcan this year.
He said: “I believe he is playing better than ever.
“He made a number of strong saves, his kick-outs are top class, he can execute any short balls. His handling is also top class, he didn’t drop one all year.”
McGlynn, meanwhile, has already signaled his intentions to stay on for next year.
There remain considerable doubts surrounding the future of others with questions marks over the likes of Colm McFadden, Christy Toye and Eamon McGee.
After Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Mayo, Gallagher said: “It depends on whether or not that’s a road they feel they can go down again. We’d hope that everybody will, but only time will tell.”
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