Martin McElhinney

{{Infobox Gaelic games player

|code = Football

|sport = Gaelic football

|image =

|name = Martin McElhinney

|irish = Máirtín Mac Giolla Chainnigh{{cite news|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2014/09/20/countdown-to-croker-donegal-name-team-for-all-ireland-final/|title=Countdown to Croker: Donegal name 'team' for All-Ireland final|date=20 September 2014|accessdate=20 September 2014}}

|fullname =

|feet = 6

|inches = 2

|occupation = Student

|county = Donegal

|province = Ulster

|clubs = St Michael's

|position = Midfield

|clyears = ?–

|clapps(points) =

|clcounty =

|clprovince =

|clallireland =

|counties = Donegal

|icposition = Midfield

|icyears = 2007–2019

|icapps(points) = 104

|icprovince = 4

|icallireland = 1

|nfl =

|allstars =

|clupdate =

|icupdate =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|8|10}}

|birth_place = County Donegal

}}

Martin McElhinney (born 10 August 1988) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for St Michael's and also, formerly, for the Donegal county team (between 2007 and 2019).

Among other accolades, he has one All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title and four Ulster Senior Football Championship titles to his name. He is from Creeslough.

Playing career

=Club and college=

McElhinney's club reached the final of the 2011 Donegal Senior Football Championship— their first ever senior final—but lost, though McElhinney scored during the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/murphy-is-the-star-as-glenswilly-triumph-1.612893|title=Murphy is the star as Glenswilly triumph|work=The Irish Times|date=2 October 2011|accessdate=20 September 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/murphy-magic-proves-key-as-glenswilly-secure-first-donegal-crown-26777905.html|title=Murphy magic proves key as Glenswilly secure first Donegal crown|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=3 October 2011|accessdate=3 October 2011}}

McElhinney also played for DCU.{{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|quote=It was McCarthy's tangle with Donegal substitute Martin McElhinney, ironically an ex-team-mate at DCU, that was particularly controversial as the Dublin defender's left hand made contact with McElhinney's eye area.}}

=Inter-county=

McElhinney scored two goals for Donegal at Croke Park in the 2006 Ulster Minor Football Championship final, which Donegal won.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/second-half-surge-sees-donegal-end-long-title-wait-26373716.html|title=Second-half surge sees Donegal end long title wait|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=10 July 2006|accessdate=10 July 2006}}

He made his debut at senior inter-county level under the management of Brian McIver in 2007.

By the time of Jim McGuinness's arrival as manager, McElhinney was still part of the team. Against Derry in the 2011 Ulster Senior Football Championship final, Rory Kavanagh went off injured late in the first half and McElhinney replaced him.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0717/derry_donegal.html|title=Donegal 1–11 Derry 0-08|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=17 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719145639/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0717/derry_donegal.html|accessdate=17 July 2011|archive-date=19 July 2011}} In the 2012 Ulster final against Down, his appearance as a second-half substitute was credited with being vital to the victory.{{cite news|first=John|last=Campbell|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/with-mcloone-on-board-mcguinness-has-all-angles-covered-28777438.html|title=With McLoone on board McGuinness has all angles covered|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=3 August 2012|accessdate=3 August 2012|quote=McLoone's actual role in the side to face Kerry on Sunday is still uncertain given that McGuinness is continuing to study the fitness of midfielder Neil Gallagher while also assessing the credentials of Martin McElhinney. It was McElhinney who turned the tide in Donegal's favour against Down when he went in as a second-half substitute to impose himself forcibly at midfield, winning invaluable possession that was translated into scores.}} He started Donegal's next game, a comprehensive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final defeat of Kerry at Croke Park.{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/donegal-supporters-on-the-edge-of-their-seats-1-4133558|title=Donegal supporters on the edge of their seats|work=Donegal Democrat|date=7 August 2012|accessdate=7 August 2012|quote=Kerry's Paul Galvin is forced off the ball by Martin McElhinney, Frank McGlynn and Anthony Thompson.}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0805/332189-donegal-repel-late-kerry-surge-to-reach-last-four/|title=Donegal 1-12 Kerry 1-10|work=RTÉ Sport|date=5 August 2012|accessdate=5 August 2012}} He came on as a second-half substitute for Patrick McBrearty in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final, won by Donegal.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338702-live-all-ireland-football-finals/|title=Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park|work=RTÉ Sport|date=23 September 2012|accessdate=23 September 2012}} He was treated like a VIP when himself and Maxi Curran brought the Sam Maguire Cup to Mulroy College in Milford.{{cite news|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/11/13/the-day-sam-got-the-max-from-mulroy-college/|title=The day Sam got the 'Max' from Mulroy College|date=13 November 2012|accessdate=13 November 2012}}

McElhinney started Rory Gallagher's first match in charge of the county, a 2015 Dr McKenna Cup away defeat to Derry.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://donegalnews.com/2015/01/report-rory-gallaghers-experimental-donegal-well-beaten-by-derry/|title=Report: Rory Gallagher's experimental Donegal well beaten by Derry|work=Donegal News|date=4 January 2015|accessdate=4 January 2015}} He came on a substitute in the first match of the 2015 National Football League (also against Derry but at home), contributing 0–1 to the team's victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gallagher-delighted-with-early-statement-as-mcbrearty-steps-up-30955450.html|title=Gallagher delighted with early statement as McBrearty steps up|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=1 February 2015|accessdate=1 February 2015}} He also made a substitute appearances in the next game against Dublin at Croke Park, the third fixture against Cork in Ballyshannon and the fourth fixture against Monaghan.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0207/678583-dublin-v-donegal/|title=14-man Dublin too hot for Donegal to handle|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208024424/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0207/678583-dublin-v-donegal/|accessdate=7 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0301/683666-donegal-v-cork/|title=Donegal edge out Cork in Ballyshannon|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302044802/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0301/683666-donegal-v-cork/|accessdate=1 March 2015|archive-date=2 March 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0308/685474-donegal-v-monaghan/|title=Monaghan grind out result in dour encounter|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309041115/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0308/685474-donegal-v-monaghan/|accessdate=8 March 2015|archive-date=9 March 2015}} He started the fifth fixture against Kerry at Austin Stack Park and contributed 0–1.{{cite news|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/kerry-hold-nerve-and-donegal-in-tralee-spring-classic-1.2140604|title=Kerry hold nerve and Donegal in Tralee spring classic|work=The Irish Times|date=15 March 2015|accessdate=15 March 2015}} He started the sixth fixture against Tyrone and scored 0–2 in what RTÉ described as an "impressive" performance.{{cite news|first=Orla|last=Bannon|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0329/690619-donegal-mayo/|title=Donegal make light work of Tyrone|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330075055/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2015/0329/690619-donegal-mayo/|accessdate=29 March 2015|archive-date=30 March 2015}} He followed this up with a further point in the seventh fixture against Mayo.{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Finnerty|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/stephen-griffin-leapfrogs-donegal-into-semis-322420.html|title=Stephen Griffin leapfrogs Donegal into semis|work=Irish Examiner|date=6 April 2015|accessdate=6 April 2015}} Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McElhinney started and scored 0–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/gaelic-games/32277877|title=Football League Div 1 semi-final: Cork 4–11 0–19 Donegal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 April 2015|accessdate=12 April 2015}}{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Moynihan|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/rampant-cork-rebels-rock-donegal-with-goal-rush-323621.html|title=Rampant Cork Rebels rock Donegal with goal rush|work=Irish Examiner|date=13 April 2015|accessdate=13 April 2015}}

McElhinney started the 2015 Ulster Senior Football Championship final.{{cite news|first=Martin|last=Breheny|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/monaghan-beat-donegal-at-their-own-game-as-ulster-champions-dethroned-31387629.html|title=Monaghan beat Donegal at their own game as Ulster champions dethroned|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=19 July 2015|accessdate=19 July 2015}} He had previously started the preliminary round against Tyrone (scoring 1–2), the quarter-final against Armagh (scoring 0–1) and the semi-final against Derry (scoring 0–1).{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2015/0517/701756-donegal-tyrone/|title=Donegal edge Tyrone in tough Ulster battle|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=17 May 2015|accessdate=17 May 2015}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0614/708056-armagh-v-donegal/|title=Donegal progress untested by Armagh|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=14 June 2015|accessdate=14 June 2015}}{{cite news|first=Francis|last=Mooney|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0627/711074-derry-v-donegal/|title=Donegal forced to dig deep for Derry win|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=27 June 2015|accessdate=27 June 2015}} McElhinney made substitute appearances in the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Galway at Croke Park and the next game against Mayo at the same venue.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Keane|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/0108151953-round-4b-brilliant-donegal-dismantle-galway/|title=Round 4B: Brilliant Donegal dismantle Galway|date=1 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020911/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/0108151953-round-4b-brilliant-donegal-dismantle-galway/|accessdate=1 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015}}{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Keane|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/0808151940-classy-mayo-outgun-sluggish-donegal/|title=Classy Mayo outgun sluggish Donegal|date=8 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040406/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/0808151940-classy-mayo-outgun-sluggish-donegal/|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015}}

McElhinney made a substitute appearance in the second fixture of the 2016 National Football League against Cork, a ten-point win in Ballyshannon.{{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}} He also made substitute appearances in the third and fourth fixtures against Mayo and Kerry.{{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}} He started the fifth fixture against Roscommon.{{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}} Another substitute appearance followed in the next game away to Dublin at Croke Park, during which James McCarthy used his left hand to seemingly gouge McElhinney's eye.{{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|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/video-should-dublins-james-mccarthy-face-retrospective-action-for-alleged-eye-gouge-34574907.html|title=Video: Should Dublin's James McCarthy face retrospective action for alleged eye gouge?|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=26 March 2016|accessdate=26 March 2016}}{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=McGillicuddy|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/pic-dublins-james-mccarthy-accused-of-eye-gouging-in-win-over-donegal-71619|title=Dublin's James McCarthy accused of eye-gouging in win over Donegal|publisher=JOE.ie|date=March 2016}}{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Maguire|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2016/03/26/controversy-as-dublin-player-accused-of-eye-gouging-donegal-star/|title=Controversy as Dublin player accused of eye-gouging Donegal star|date=26 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/252621|title=McCarthy in eye gouge storm|work=Hogan Stand|date=26 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016}}{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=https://www.donegalsporthub.com/video-james-mccarthy-gouge-martin-mcelhinney-decide/|title=Did James McCarthy try to gouge Martin McElhinney?|date=27 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016}} McCarthy, who had actually just been shown a red card before he did this, escaped punishment and Dublin manager Jim Gavin said: "To be suggesting there was something malicious, I don't think that's very fair".{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Maguire|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2016/03/30/donegal-supporters-angry-as-dublin-star-set-to-avoid-ban-for-alleged-eye-gouge/|title=Donegal suuporters angry as Dublin star set to avoid ban|date=30 March 2016|access-date=30 March 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/jim-gavin-downplays-unfair-gouge-accusations-levelled-at-james-mccarthy-34577315.html|title=Jim Gavin downplays 'unfair' gouge accusations levelled at James McCarthy|work=Irish Independent|date=28 March 2016|access-date=28 March 2016}} The Irish Independent called for McCarthy to be investigated.{{cite news|first=Cormac|last=Byrne|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-must-investigate-the-james-mccarthy-eye-gouge-incident-there-is-a-case-to-answer-34577618.html|title=GAA must investigate the James McCarthy 'eye gouge' incident… There is a case to answer|work=Irish Independent|date=28 March 2016|access-date=28 March 2016}} But the incident was dismissed as a push by Setanta Sports pundits Senan Connell (former Dublin player) and former Armagh player Aaron Kernan dismissed the incident as a push.{{cite news|url=https://punditarena.com/gaa/thepateam/dublins-james-mccarthy-massive-trouble-alleged-eye-gouge/|title=Dublin's James McCarthy Could Be In Massive Trouble After This Alleged Eye Gouge|publisher=Pundit Arena|date=26 March 2016|accessdate=26 March 2016}} McElhinney started the seventh fixture away to Monaghan in Castleblayney and scored a goal.{{cite news|first=Colm|last=Shalvey|url=https://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}} Donegal qualified for the NFL semi-final. McElhinney also started this game, scoring a point.{{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}}

McElhinney made a substitute appearance in the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship final.{{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}} 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).{{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}}{{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=25 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}} McElhinney also started the 2016 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park and the next game against Dublin at the same venue.{{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|publisher=The42.ie|date=30 July 2016|accessdate=30 July 2016}}{{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}}

McElhinney made a late substitute appearance in the fifth fixture of the 20017 National Football League against Tyrone.{{cite news|first=Kevin|last=Kelly|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/allianz-donegal-too-good-for-tyrone/|title=Allianz FL D1: Donegal too good for Tyrone|date=18 March 2017|accessdate=18 March 2017}} He made further substitute appearances in the sixth and seventh fixtures against Monaghan and Mayo.{{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}}{{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}}

McElhinney made substitute appearances in the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory against Antrim and semi-final loss to Tyrone.{{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}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/tyrone-destroy-donegal-to-claim-place-in-ulster-final-794093.html|title=The pendulum has swung decisively in Tyrone's favour in the battle of Ulster's giants following a runaway win at Clones|work=Irish Examiner|date=18 June 2017|accessdate=18 June 2017}} He made a further substitute appearance in the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann.{{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}} He then made a substitute appearance in the qualifier loss to Galway at Markievicz Park and scored 0–1.{{cite news|first=Daragh|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 the management of Declan Bonner, McElhinney made his 100th appearance for Donegal against Cavan in the 2019 Dr McKenna Cup. Following Donegal's victory over Armagh in the 2019 National Football League, McElhinney informed Bonner of his decision to withdraw from inter-county football. He had been an unused substitute in that game and the game before, though he had played in three earlier games of that year's league.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/03/06/all-ireland-winner-martin-mcelhinney-pulls-out-of-donegal-panel/|title=All-Ireland winner Martin McElhinney pulls out of Donegal panel|date=6 March 2019|accessdate=6 March 2019}} These were a substitute appearance in the opening fixture of the competition against Clare in Ennis,{{cite news|first=Derrick|last=Lynch|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-clare-league-report-4462420-Jan2019/|title=Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory|publisher=The42.ie|date=27 January 2019|accessdate=27 January 2019}} Meath in the second fixture (starting then making way for Jason McGee),{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Campbell|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0202/1027139-donegal-1-13-meath-0-14/|title=Fortuitous goal sees Donegal come back to beat Meath|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=2 February 2019|accessdate=2 February 2019}} and again as a substitute, on this occasion for Oisín Gallen, in the third fixture against Tipperary.{{cite news|first=John|last=Fallon|url=https://www.the42.ie/tipperary-donegal-division-2-football-report-4486602-Feb2019/|title=Casey strikes late goal as Tipp come back to shock Donegal|publisher=The42.ie|date=10 February 2019|accessdate=10 February 2019}}

Personal life

McElhinney has also played association football for Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=McNulty|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2018/02/18/watch-martin-mcelhinneys-soccer-style-dink-in-dr-mckenna-cup-final/|title=Watch: Martin McElhinney’s soccer-style dink in Dr McKenna Cup final|date=18 February 2018|accessdate=18 February 2018|quote=Most recently the Creeslough native lined out for Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League and tonight in the Dr McKenna Cup final, those skills certainly came in handy as McElhinney dinked a lovely goal for Donegal in their 1–16 to 1–12 win over Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds.}}{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Craig|title=Fanad aiming to bounce back against Cranford|work=Donegal News|date=24 March 2022|page=59}} A photograph of McElhinney at the top of the page is captioned: "Martin McElhinney is an important player for Fanad United".

Honours

;Donegal

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20130527063810/http://www.donegalgaa.ie/playerProfile/2784/martin_mc_elhinney Official profile]
{{Twitter}}
[https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/we-came-from-nowhere-if-you-think-about-it-martin-mcelhinney-on-donegals-historic-journey-to-sam-maguire-success-10-years-on-42027607.html 'We came from nowhere, if you think about it' – Martin McElhinney on Donegal's historic journey to Sam Maguire success 10 years on]

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Category:1988 births

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