Frank McGlynn (Gaelic footballer)

Frank McGlynn (born 1985) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Glenfin and who played for the Donegal county team between 2006 and 2019.

Frank McGlynn

Personal information
Irish name	Proinsias Mac Fhloinn
Sport	Gaelic football
Position	(Right half back)
Born	Cloghan, County Donegal
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Occupation	Primary school teacher
Club(s)
Years	Club
2004–	Glenfin
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County	Apps (scores)
2006–2019	Donegal	100+ (1–4+)
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles	5
All-Irelands	1
NFL	1
All Stars	1

In 2015, Pat Spillane included McGlynn in his top 40 footballers in the game today.

He won one All Star, one All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and five Ulster Senior Football Championships with his county. He was shortlisted for All Stars Footballer of the Year in 2012, but the award went to teammate Karl Lacey.

Playing career

Youth

McGlynn played association football for Drumkeen United as a child. He has also played soccer for Finn Harps at underage level. He earned him trials with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Preston North End in soccer's English Football League. He played and scored for Everton in the Milk Cup – in a team which also featured Wayne Rooney. He was still playing the association code for Cappry Rovers after retiring from playing football for Donegal (though he prioritised his football for his club Glenfin).

McGlynn's childhood hero was Martin Gavigan.

Club

McGlynn won the Donegal Intermediate Football Championship with Glenfin in 2018.

Inter-county

McGlynn made his senior inter-county debut in 2006.

Jim McGuinness: 2010–14

A prominent part of the inter-county teams of the Jim McGuinness era, McGlynn won his first Ulster Senior Football Championship winners' medal with Donegal on 17 July 2011, becoming the first man from the Glenfin club to achieve this. He had a terrific game on 22 July 2012 as Donegal retained the Ulster title for the first time in their history with a 2–18 to 0–13 victory over Down. His goal that day sealed the win and remains the only goal he has scored for his county as of October 2024.

McGlynn's first Championship point only came in the 2012 Ulster Senior Football Championship. This was against Cavan; he followed this with a point against Derry, that goal against Down in the provincial final and yet another point in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final victory against Cork. He added another point against Mayo in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, bringing his 2012 championship season total to 1–4. For a player in the left-full-back position this has been described as "def[ying] convention". He won an All Star but was unable to attend the Football Tour of New York.

Coming in the 2013 Ulster Senior Football Championship, McGlynn was concussed, as was teammate Ryan Bradley, causing manager McGuinness to voice fears that one of his players would receive a spinal injury or a neck injury if the "'dangerous' levels of physicality in the GAA" continued.

McGlynn made his 100th inter-county appearance against Armagh in the 2014 Dr McKenna Cup. He added a third Ulster SFC title later that year.

Rory Gallagher: 2014–17

Under the management of Rory Gallagher, McGlynn started the opening fixture of the 2015 National Football League at home to Derry. He also started the next game against Dublin at Croke Park, the third fixture against Cork in Ballyshannon, the fourth fixture against Monaghan and the seventh fixture against Mayo. Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McGlynn also started and completed this game.

McGlynn started the 2015 Ulster Senior Football Championship final, scoring 0–1. He had previously started the preliminary round against Tyrone (scoring 0–1), the quarter-final against Armagh and the semi-final against Derry. McGlynn started the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Galway at Croke Park and the next game against Mayo at the same venue.

McGlynn started the opening fixture of the 2016 National Football League away to Down and scored 0–1. He started the second fixture against Cork, a ten-point win in Ballyshannon, contributing 0–1 to the team's victory. He also started the third fixture against Mayo and the seventh fixture against Monaghan. Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McGlynn started this game too.

McGlynn started the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship final. He had previously started the quarter-final against Fermanagh (scoring 0–1), the semi-final against Monaghan and the semi-final replay against the same opposition (scoring 0–1). McGlynn scored 0–1 in the 2016 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park and also started the next game against Dublin at the same venue.

McGlynn started the opening fixture of the 2017 National Football League against Kerry. He made a substitute appearance in the second fixture away to Roscommon. He started the third fixture against Dublin. He also started the fourth fixture against Cavan and scored 0–1. He did likewise in the fifth fixture against Tyrone and in the seventh fixture against Mayo.

McGlynn started the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory against Antrim (scoring 0–1) and the semi-final loss to Tyrone. He also started both the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann and the qualifier loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.

Declan Bonner: 2017–19

Under the management of Declan Bonner, McGlynn played only in the final two games of the 2018 National Football League, against Monaghan and Mayo (both of which he started). His fourth Ulster SFC title came in 2018. McGlynn started the final against Fermanagh. He had previously started the preliminary round against Cavan, the quarter-final against Derry and the semi-final against Down.

Not featuring until the final round of the 2019 National Football League, he came on as a second-half substitute in the victory over Kildare. Donegal qualified for the National Football League Division 2 final and McGlynn made a substitute appearance in the game as Donegal defeated Meath to win the title. He collected his fifth and final Ulster SFC later that year, appearing as a second-half substitute for Neil McGee in the final against Cavan. He had previously made substitute appearances against Fermanagh in the quarter-final and Tyrone in the semi-final.

McGlynn announced his retirement form inter-county football on 5 November 2019.

Personal life

McGlynn is married to Diane, who also plays for their club Glenfin. They have three children. A teacher by profession, he has taught at Stramore National School, Glendowan, Churchill, Glenswilly. He enjoys darts and cards.

Honours

Donegal

• All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 2012
• Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2011,2012,2014,2018,2019
• National Football League Division 1: 2007
• National Football League Division 2: 2011, 2019
• Dr McKenna Cup: 2009, 2010

Glenfin

• Donegal Intermediate Football Championship: 2018

Individual

• The Star Player of the Year: 2012
• All Star: 2012^{[citation needed]} (Nominated in 2011, 2014, 2015)
• Irish News Ulster All-Star: 2011,^{[citation needed]} 2012^{[citation needed]}
• The Sunday Game Team of the Year: 2012
• Donegal News Sports Personality Winner: June 2012
• Donegal Footballer of the Year: 2015

References

1. "Countdown to Croker: Donegal name 'team' for All-Ireland final". 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
2. "Spillane names Murphy as 'most complete footballer in the game'". 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
3. Bogue, Declan (13 September 2014). "Kerry offer a bigger threat than Dublin, to be Frank". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
4. "Finn Harps to take on All-Ireland champions". Ocean FM. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012. Donegal goalkeepers Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle both spent some time on the books at Finn Park, while forward Patrick McBrearty and defender Frank McGlynn have turned out for Harps underage teams in the past.
5. "Cappry host Milford on Sunday". Donegal News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020. Frank McGlynn playing for Cappry against Cranford
6. Craig, Frank (10 September 2020). "Rovers and Tigers battle for cup glory". Donegal News. p. 60. Traditionally, a large chuck of Cappry's squad has included players from the local surrounding GAA clubs. Experienced lads like Darren O'Leary and Padhraic Patton (MacCumhaills), Frank McGlynn, David Carr, Stephen Carr and Conor McBride (Glenfin) as well as Red Hugh's Calvin Bradley and Gerard Melaugh have all been missing for the last six weeks now but Cappry have fared very well in their absence. In reference to the title, Rovers lost.
7. Keenan, Shaun (14 October 2018). "Glenfin comfortably beat Aodh Ruadh to win IFC A Final". Retrieved 14 October 2018.
8. "Donegal easily beat poor Antrim team". www.sportsnewsireland.com. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
9. "Donegal 1–11 Derry 0-08". RTÉ Sport. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
10. "History makers! Donegal double champions as Jim's boys retain Ulster title". 22 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012. Ryan Bradley, Frank McGlynn and Leo McLoone had terrific games for Donegal.
11. "Ulster Senior Football Final: Donegal 2-18 0-13 Down". BBC Sport. 22 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
12. "Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park". RTÉ Sport. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
13. "Donegal 2-11 Mayo 0-13". RTÉ Sport. 23 September 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
14. Campbell, John (19 September 2012). "Donegal put their faith in McGlynn to play a dual role and make the hard yards". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
15. McNulty, Chris (13 November 2012). "Replacement All-Star for Thompson". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
16. "The hits are bigger than ever… but what is the GAA doing to manage concussion?". (The42.ie). 3 August 2013. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
17. Roche, Frank (29 July 2013). "McGuinness hits out at physical impact". Evening Herald. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
18. "Donegal reverse 2013 result to claim Ulster football title". (The42.ie). 20 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
19. "Gallagher delighted with early statement as McBrearty steps up". Irish Independent. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
20. "14-man Dublin too hot for Donegal to handle". RTÉ Sport. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
21. "Donegal edge out Cork in Ballyshannon". RTÉ Sport. 1 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
22. "Monaghan grind out result in dour encounter". RTÉ Sport. 8 March 2015. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
23. "Donegal draw with Mayo enough for semi-final place". RTÉ Sport. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
24. "Football League Div 1 semi-final: Cork 4–11 0–19 Donegal". BBC Sport. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
25. Moynihan, Michael (13 April 2015). "Rampant Cork Rebels rock Donegal with goal rush". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
26. Breheny, Martin (19 July 2015). "Monaghan beat Donegal at their own game as Ulster champions dethroned". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
27. Mooney, Francis (17 May 2015). "Donegal edge Tyrone in tough Ulster battle". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
28. Mooney, Francis (14 June 2015). "Donegal progress untested by Armagh". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
29. Mooney, Francis (27 June 2015). "Donegal forced to dig deep for Derry win". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
30. Keane, Paul (1 August 2015). "Round 4B: Brilliant Donegal dismantle Galway". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
31. Keane, Paul (8 August 2015). "Classy Mayo outgun sluggish Donegal". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
32. Bannon, Orla (30 January 2016). "Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
33. "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.
34. Campbell, Peter (28 February 2016). "Donegal march on beating Mayo". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
35. Shalvey, Colm (3 April 2016). "Allianz FL D1: Last gasp Monaghan avoid relegation". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
36. "FL1 semi-final: dazzling Dubs demolish disappointing Donegal". Hogan Stand. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
37. Mooney, Francis (17 July 2016). "Late scores help Tyrone to Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
38. Mooney, Francis (12 June 2016). "Odhran Mac Niallais brace powers Donegal into Ulster semi-finals". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
39. Mooney, Francis (25 June 2016). "Monaghan and Donegal draw in Ulster thriller". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
40. "Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Donegal 0–17 Monaghan 2–10". BBC Sport. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
41. O'Toole, Fintan (30 July 2016). "McBrearty inspires Donegal to battling win over Cork and sets up clash with Dublin". (The42.ie). Retrieved 30 July 2016.
42. Crowe, Dermot (7 August 2016). "Stuttering Dubs show their fallibility". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
43. 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.
44. Rooney, Declan (12 February 2017). "Donegal prevail late on against Roscommon". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
45. 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.
46. Fitzpatrick, Paul (4 March 2017). "Donegal strike early to see off Cavan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
47. Kelly, Kevin (18 March 2017). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal too good for Tyrone". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
48. 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.
49. Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster". (The42.ie). Retrieved 21 May 2017.
50. "The pendulum has swung decisively in Tyrone's favour in the battle of Ulster's giants following a runaway win at Clones". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
51. Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
52. Small, Daragh (22 July 2017). "Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance". Retrieved 22 July 2017.
53. Graham, John (18 March 2018). "Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
54. Gannon, Colm (25 March 2018). "McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop and Donegal suffer relegation". (The42.ie). Retrieved 25 March 2018.
55. Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
56. McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
57. Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
58. Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
59. Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019. There were a few other big cheers as well with the return of Frank McGlynn for his first game of the year while Murphy powered over a point against the wind with a minute left.
60. O'Brien, Kevin (30 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass helps Donegal to Division 2 glory after comeback win over Meath". (The42.ie). Retrieved 30 March 2019.
61. Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
62. Mooney, Francis (26 May 2019). "Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
63. Mooney, Francis (8 June 2019). "Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
64. "All-Ireland winner and All-Star defender calls time on Donegal career". The42.ie. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
65. "Donegal's McGlynn retires from inter-county football". RTÉ Sport. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
66. Ferry, Ryan (23 April 2020). "McConigley reflects on 2007 National League success". Donegal News. pp. 52–3.
67. "An All-Star night to remember for Donegal". Donegal Democrat. 27 October 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012. Lacey pipped Colm McFadden and Frank McGlynn for the top award. The other two had already picked up two individual awards with Colm named as Irish News Player of the Year and Frank picking up the Star Player of the Year last weekend, which just shows how close the selection process must have been.
68. "All-Star football nominees are named". RTÉ Sport. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
69. O'Toole, Fintan (8 October 2014). "11 for Kerry, 9 for Donegal, 9 for Dublin and 6 for Mayo in 2014 Allstar football nominees". (The42.ie). Retrieved 8 October 2014.
70. Heneghan, Conor (2015). "The nominations for the 2015 GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Stars have been announced". JOE.ie.
71. "Donegal team clean up on Sunday Game Team of the Year". 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
72. McNulty, Chris (26 July 2012). "Frank McGlynn – June 2012 Donegal News Sports Personality Winner". Donegal News. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
73. Foley, Alan (1 December 2015). "The Donegal GAA name players of the year and various award winners for 2015". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
74. "2015 Donegal GAA Award Winners Announced". Highland Radio. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.

External links

• Donegal GAA profile (archived 2013)
• Frank McGlynn at gaainfo.com