The new Donegal manager will have to plan without veteran defender Neil McGee for next season after the three-time All Star called time on his inter-county career.
The 36-year-old was a key member of the 2012 All-Ireland winning team and he won five provincial titles with Donegal.
He was awarded All Stars in 2011, 2012 and again in 2014 while he also helped Gaoth Dobhair win an Ulster club title in 2018.
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A tough, uncompromising full-back, McGee will be remembered as one of the finest defenders of his generation.
However, just shy of his 37th birthday, McGee told the Donegal News that he feels the time is right for him to step away from county game and focus on his club commitments.
“The body just doesn’t have anything left to give,” said McGee.
“I thought long and hard about last year, going back I mean. And with Declan (Bonner) staying on, I decided to give it one more shot.
"But with the back playing up like it did after that injury the season before, I just didn’t feature like I would have wanted. So it was a much easier decision this time around.
“Whatever is left in the tank now I intend to give it all to Gaoth Dobhair. I missed so much there over the years because of what we were trying to achieve with Donegal.
“But representing my county, it’s been such a massive part of my life but I can look back and say it was all worth it. I have no regrets.
"Yeah, there are games and big days that got away from us. And they stick in the throat. But if I could rewind the clock and do it all over again I would.”
While the news of McGee’s retirement isn’t entirely unexpected, it leaves a void in terms of experience in the Donegal ranks.
Despite Declan Bonner stepping down back in July, the county board have yet to name his successor.
Current St Eunan’s boss Rory Kavanagh appears to be the frontrunner, although his immediate focus will be on Saturday’s Donegal SFC semi-final meeting with Kilcar with Glenties awaiting the winners in the final.
Martin McHugh is the other leading contender for the role with Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke ruling himself out of contention after holding preliminary discussions with the Donegal executive.
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