Bad news for Donegal as star player confirms plans to withdraw from panel

A ball hasn't been kicked in the Allianz League but, already, Donegal have been dealt a hammer blow.

News arrived on Friday that Odhrán Mac Niallais had opted out of the panel ahead of the new season. The Donegal Democrat confirmed that the 24-year-old would not be playing any part in Donegal's Allianz League or Ulster Championship campaigns as he ponders his next move. It had been suggested that Mac Niallais was considering spending the year in America amid the reports that he had not rejoined the Donegal panel when they returned to pre-season training a number of weeks ago. "I’m taking a year out, but not sure about the American part," Mac Niallais told the Democrat. The Gaoth Dobhair man turned to soccer following Donegal's 2016 All-Ireland quarter-final exit, as he chose to line out for Gweedore Celtic in the Donegal League. "There was no fall out or anything with management or players; it is just for personal reasons," he added. News of Mac Niallais' decision is just another headache for manager Rory Gallagher who, only last week, had to come to terms with Leo McLoone's withdrawal from the panel. There are also rumours of a departure for Anthony Thompson, although those reports remain unconfirmed.