By Michael McMullan

JIM McGuinness has revealed five players he will have as part of his plans for 2025.

The high-profile addition has been the return from retirement of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy.

In an interview on Monday’s DL Debate, on Highland Radio, McGuiness outlined a further four players he can call on for the new season.

Speaking to host Brendan Devenney before he jetted off on the team’s holiday, McGuiness said there will also be returns for Kilcar captain Eoin McHugh, Naomh Conaill duo Eoghan McGettigan and Finbar Roarty.

The latter was at the centre of a controversary last year after making his senior debut in the Dr McKenna Cup despite being too young.

He will be on board to add to the Donegal defensive options with Gaoth Dobhair marker Odhrán McFadden Ferry making a return after long-term injury.

The five players will combine to give the Ulster champions a boost going into the new season where they will host Derry in the opening game of their title Ulster Championship defence.

Donegal travelled to Abu Dhabi as part of their preparations for January’s NFL campaign as they begin life back in Division One.

Their first game is a trip to Killarney to take on Kerry before welcoming Dublin to Ballybofey in February.

McGuiness is going into the second year of his second stint as Donegal manager. Last season, they were beaten by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final stage.

The Donegal boss told Devenney of their double blow at Croke Park that day. They lost the influence of Eoghan Bán Gallagher to injury with the move of Shane O’Donnell back to defence robbing them of the attacking side of this game.

The five additions will bolster their squad options going into the new season as they bid to take a step closer to winning a third All-Ireland title for the county.

Check out our analysis and reaction from Errigal Ciaran’s win over Kilcoo.