Mark Anthony McGinley

McGinley played association football for University College Dublin in the League of Ireland. He spent time with Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League under the management of Ollie Horgan. He also spent time with League of Ireland side Finn Harps in 2014, while Horgan was manager, but injury prevented him from playing for them.

First featuring for his county's Gaelic football team under the management of Rory Gallagher, McGinley joined the senior team for the first time in 2015. He was among thirteen new members of the panel announced in late 2014 for Gallagher's first time in charge; others included Ciaran McGinley and Eoin McHugh.{{cite news|first=Harry|last=Walsh|url=https://donegalnews.com/2014/12/thirteen-new-faces-on-gallaghers-first-donegal-panel/|title=Thirteen new faces on Gallagher's first Donegal panel|work=Donegal News|date=21 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808112637/https://donegalnews.com/2014/12/thirteen-new-faces-on-gallaghers-first-donegal-panel/|archive-date=8 August 2015}} He served as a substitute for the All-Ireland winner Paul Durcan, following Michael Boyle's transfer to Boston before the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final against Derry; Durcan then transferred to Qatar, leaving the way clear for McGinley to become Donegal's goalkeeper.{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Keys|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/durcans-donegal-future-in-doubt-as-he-plans-move-abroad-31441844.html|title=Durcan's Donegal future in doubt as he plans move abroad|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=11 August 2015|accessdate=11 August 2015|quote=Durcan … didn't play in all of Donegal's league games after picking up an injury against Dublin and Michael Boyle was a very accomplished replacement. But Boyle opted to travel to Boston for the summer prior to the Ulster semi-final against Derry and Mark McGinley stepped up to become the reserve goalkeeper.}}

McGinley started three games during the 2016 National Football League, playing against Dublin at Croke Park and Monaghan, as well as in the league semi-final in Croke Park, also against Dublin.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Keane|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/donegal-turn-blind-eye-to-james-mccarthy-incident-389772.html|title=Donegal turn blind eye to James McCarthy incident|work=Irish Examiner|date=28 March 2016|accessdate=28 March 2016}}{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Shalvey|url=http://www.gaa.ie/football/news/allianz-last-gasp-monaghan-avoid-relegation/|title=Allianz FL D1: Last gasp Monaghan avoid relegation|date=3 April 2016|accessdate=3 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/253360|title=FL1 semi-final: dazzling Dubs demolish disappointing Donegal|work=Hogan Stand|date=10 April 2016|accessdate=10 April 2016}} Gallagher had favoured Peter Boyle in goal for previous league fixtures of that campaign.{{cite news|first=Orla|last=Bannon|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/disastrous-return-to-division-one-for-down-as-donegal-run-riot-in-newry-34409831.html|title=Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=30 January 2016|accessdate=30 January 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/cork-donegal-football-2590154-Feb2016/|title=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|publisher=The42.ie|date=7 February 2016|accessdate=7 February 2016}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0228/771370-donegal-v-mayo/|title=Donegal march on beating Mayo|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=28 February 2016|accessdate=28 February 2016}}{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Leen|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/dogged-kerry-win-arm-wrestle-385967.html|title=Dogged Kerry win arm wrestle|work=Irish Examiner|date=7 March 2016|accessdate=7 March 2016}}{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0313/774557-donegal-v-roscommon/|title=Rossies signal greater intent after win over Donegal|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=13 March 2016|accessdate=13 March 2016}}

McGinley's Championship debut came in the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Fermanagh; in goal from the start, he notably saved a Seán Quigley penalty which Neil McGee conceded during first half stoppage time.{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0612/795019-fermanagh-v-donegal/|title=Odhran Mac Niallais brace powers Donegal into Ulster semi-finals|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=12 June 2016|accessdate=12 June 2016|quote=The same incident saw referee Maurice Deegan award a penalty, but Quigley's kick was superbly saved by debutant McGinley.}} McGinley retained his place in goal for the semi-final against Monaghan — which Donegal won after a replay, also featuring McGinley in goal.{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0625/798203-donegal-1-11-monaghan-0-14/|title=Monaghan and Donegal draw in Ulster thriller|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=2 June 2016|accessdate=25 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/gaelic-games/36682148|title=Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Donegal 0-17 Monaghan 2-10|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2016|accessdate=2 July 2016}} McGinley played in the Ulster final, a narrow two-point loss to Tyrone,{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0717/802984-tyrone-donegal/|title=Late scores help Tyrone to Ulster title|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=17 July 2016|accessdate=17 July 2016}} the subsequent All-Ireland qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park,{{cite news|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-cork-mcbrearty-2903513-Jul2016/|title=McBrearty inspires Donegal to battling win over Cork and sets up clash with Dublin next Saturday|publisher=The42.ie|date=30 July 2016|accessdate=30 July 2016}} and the All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Dublin at Croke Park.{{cite news|first=Dermot|last=Crowe|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/stuttering-dubs-show-their-fallibility-34944597.html|title=Stuttering Dubs show their fallibility|work=Sunday Independent|date=7 August 2016|accessdate=7 August 2016}}

McGinley started in goal during many games of Donegal's 2017 National Football League campaign, including Kerry,{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/kerry-donegal-division-1-3224023-Feb2017/|title=Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice|publisher=The42.ie|date=5 February 2017|accessdate=5 February 2017}} the draw against Dublin,{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-dublin-report-3260275-Feb2017/|title=Murphy's injury-time free rescues a draw for Donegal as Dublin extend unbeaten run to 32 games|publisher=The42.ie|date=26 February 2017|accessdate=26 February 2017}} Monaghan{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/late-escape-for-monaghan-as-donegal-pay-penalty-446248.html|title=Late escape for Monaghan as Donegal pay penalty|work=Irish Examiner|date=27 March 2017|accessdate=27 March 2017}} and Mayo — the last of these in which he conceded a penalty which was dispatched by Cillian O'Connor, helping Mayo to a two-point victory.{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Gannon|url=https://www.the42.ie/mayo-donegal-report-3320260-Apr2017/|title=Aidan O'Shea's late introduction proves decisive as Mayo see off Donegal to avoid relegation|publisher=The42.ie|date=2 April 2017|accessdate=2 April 2017}}

McGinley started in goal for Donegal in the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Antrim{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-antrim-report-3401111-May2017/|title=Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster|publisher=The42.ie|date=21 May 2017|accessdate=21 May 2017}} and the semi-final loss to Tyrone,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/tyrone-destroy-donegal-to-claim-place-in-ulster-final-794093.html|title=Tyrone destroy Donegal to claim place in Ulster final|work=Irish Examiner|date=18 June 2017|accessdate=18 June 2017}} as well as the All-Ireland qualifier victories over Longford{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-beat-longford-report-3474191-Jul2017/|title=Donegal late show enough to see off brave Longford: Rory Gallagher's team have won an All-Ireland and three Ulster titles since they last lost at home in Ballybofey|publisher=The42.ie|date=1 July 2017|accessdate=1 July 2017}} and Meath{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Keane|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/gaa-football-all-ireland-senior-championship/meath-donegal/1059207/|title=Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller|date=8 July 2017|accessdate=8 July 2017}} before conceding a penalty and receiving a black card in the loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.{{cite news|first=D.|last=Small|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/gaa-football-all-ireland-senior-championship/galway-donegal/1059215/|title=Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance|date=22 July 2017|accessdate=22 July 2017}}

Under new manager Declan Bonner, McGinley started in goal during Donegal's opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League campaign against Kerry, only to be injured in the seventeenth minute; Peter Boyle was sent onto the field of play in his place.{{cite news|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole|url=https://www.the42.ie/kerry-donegal-football-3821091-Jan2018/|title=Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0-7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash: The sides met in Killarney today|publisher=The42.ie|date=28 January 2018|accessdate=28 January 2018}} He then lost his place as first Peter Boyle, and then Shaun Patton, started games in the league.{{cite news|first=Gerry|last=McLaughlin|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/03/08/news/headline-1273837/|title=Mark Anthony McGinley return a boost for Donegal|work=The Irish News|date=8 March 2018|accessdate=8 March 2018|quote=Number one keeper McGinley was forced out through injury during the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup… Boyle quit the panel after the match against Kildare in Ballyshannon after former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Shaun Patton replaced him for that match.}}{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.the42.ie/galway-donegal-allianz-league-report-3833590-Feb2018/|title=Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two|publisher=The42.ie|date=4 February 2018|accessdate=4 February 2018|quote=Boyle}}{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=O'Brien|url=https://www.the42.ie/dublin-donegal-report-3845428-Feb2018/|title=Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three: Paddy McBrearty impressed with 0-7 for Donegal|publisher=The42.ie|date=10 February 2018|accessdate=10 February 2018|quote=Boyle}}{{cite news|first=Declan|last=Bogue|url=https://www.the42.ie/tyrone-v-donegal-report-3897125-Mar2018/|title=Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh|publisher=The42.ie|date=10 March 2018|accessdate=10 March 2018|quote=Patton}}{{cite news|first=John|last=Graham|url=https://www.rte.ie/amp/948440/|title=Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=18 March 2018|accessdate=18 March 2018|quote=Patton}}{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Gannon|url=https://www.the42.ie/mayo-donegal-division-1-draw-3923536-Mar2018/|title=McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop|publisher=The42.ie|date=25 March 2018|accessdate=25 March 2018|quote=Patton}}

In February 2019, McGinley — by then neglected by the Donegal Gaelic football team and with no place in the side — signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps (under the management of Ollie Horgan, whom McGinley knew from his time with Fanad United). In March 2019, McGinley announced his departure from the Donegal Gaelic football team. He did so after Bonner opted for Patton as his first choice goalkeeper for the league fixture on the weekend of Saint Patrick's Day.

Meanwhile, Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher sustained a long-term injury while playing against Dundalk, which — McGinley later confirmed — had led to Horgan contacting him.{{cite news|url=https://donegalnews.com/2019/07/mcginley-has-no-regrets/|title=McGinley has no regrets|work=Donegal News|date=26 July 2019|accessdate=26 July 2019}}

{{blockquote|"I was actually away. It was Easter time and I was in New York. I missed the call. My dad got onto me saying that Ollie had rang him wondering if I had changed my number or what. I wasn't expecting it, but I was delighted to get it, and it was something I was interested in. Soccer up until I joined the Donegal panel was always number one for me. It was an easy enough decision to make".}}

In April 2019, McGinley featured in his first Finn Harps squad for a league fixture against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/04/26/mark-anthony-mcginley-in-finn-harps-panel-for-derby-in-sligo/|title=Mark Anthony McGinley in Finn Harps panel for derby in Sligo|date=26 April 2019|accessdate=26 April 2019}} Playing for them by May, against Derry City, McGinley made some critical saves in the first half to keep Finn Harps in the game; however, they lost what was a cup tie after extra-time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48416783|title = Derry into EA Sports Cup semis with extra-time win|work = BBC Sport}}

McGinley went on to keep 9 clean sheets for the rest of the 2019 season[https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/club/13/finn-harps/2019/ Fixtures. 2019] Extratime {{dead link|date=December 2022}} as he cemented his place as the Finn Harps number one choice, and subsequently signed a new contract for 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division season, as Harps remained in the top division following a victory in the play-off over Drogheda United.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/finn-harps-muck-in-to-keep-their-premier-division-status-for-next-season-1.4069845|title=Finn Harps muck in to keep their Premier Division status for next season|newspaper=The Irish Times }} He was voted Finn Harps Player of the Season in 2019.

Harps further maintained their Premier Division status in a shortened 2020 season, finishing 8th position in the table, with McGinley playing all 21 league and cup games, as Harps reached the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup in the process.[https://www.extratime.com/leagues/1374/100/2020-league-of-ireland-premier-division/ League of Ireland premier division] Extratime {{dead link|date=December 2022}} It was Shamrock Rovers knocked the club out of the FAI Cup, McGinley later saying: "We deservingly found ourselves two up… I've been playing football a long time, since I was six years old. And that was the biggest injustice I've felt on a pitch in all my time. It was that bad, for the third penalty, the linesman was in the earpiece of the referee telling him it was no foul. He said it was a dive. He then told the referee the same thing to his face but for whatever reason, he still awarded it… It's something we've always had to contend with here. But it was a really obvious one that night". McGinley helped Harps pick up seven points from a possible nine in October 2020, meaning the club steered clear of the relegation play-offs and finished in their best highest top flight for two decades, McGinley finishing runner-up in the SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month vote and receiving Sports Personality of the Month from the Donegal News.{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Craig|title=McGinley rewarded for Harps heroics|work=Donegal News|date=17 December 2020|page=61}} He was also voted Finn Harps Player of the Season for the second consecutive year.

McGinley again committed to Harps for his third season, by signing a new one-year deal in December 2020, ahead of the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.highlandradio.com/2020/12/11/harps-player-of-the-season-sticking-with-ballybofey-side-for-2021/|title = Harps Player of the Season sticking with Ballybofey side for 2021|date = 11 December 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{succession box

| title = Donegal Number One Goalkeeper

| before = Paul Durcan

| after = Peter Boyle

| years = 2016–2018

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Finn Harps F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McGinley, Mark Anthony}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from County Donegal

Category:Men's association football goalkeepers

Category:Donegal inter-county Gaelic footballers

Category:Fanad United F.C. players

Category:Finn Harps F.C. players

Category:Gaelic footballers who switched code

Category:Gaelic football goalkeepers

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:St Michael's (Donegal) Gaelic footballers

Category:University College Dublin A.F.C. players

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen