BLOOD SWEAT' AND CHEERS

Brother in arms has his say as one of the very best defenders in game leaves county stage

- KARL O’KANE

GAA DONEGAL STAR CALLS IT A DAY

EAMON McGEE reckons his wee brother Neil will go down as one of the Donegal greats. 

McGee, 37 in November, retired yesterday as one of the most decorated footballers in Donegal GAA history.

The Gaoth Dobhair man holds one All-Ireland, five Ulster titles, three All-Stars, one Donegal Championships and an Ulster club title. McGee also represented Ireland in the International Rules series.

The only Donegal footballer with more All Stars than McGee is Karl Lacey (4), while Michael Murphy also has an All-Ireland, five Ulsters and three All Stars, as well as three Donegal titles.

McGee made his Donegal debut in the 2005 McKenna Cup and was still a starter in 2020 at 34 – a remarkable feat for a defender operating at the highest level – before injury caught up with him that season.

A back problem sustained against Tyrone in 2021 was the beginning of his issues with spasms hitting him every few months after that.

McGee – a pipe layer – appeared briefly at the end of this year’s Ulster semi-final victory over Cavan.

He announced the news after earlier popping a message into a Whatsapp group he has with his brothers yesterday.

It’s just over a decade since Jim McGuinness orchestrated Donegal’s remarkable All-Ireland coup, as the county landed their second Sam Maguire with McGee to the fore.