Donegal star Odhran Mac Niallais has admitted he is enjoying the challenges of inter-county football and hopes he can become a permanent fixture in the Donegal side for the forthcoming National League and Championship campaigns. 
Mac Niallais has been hugely impressive for Donegal in their opening two fixtures of the Dr McKenna cup against Tyrone and Armagh.
Mac Niallais kicked two vital scores late on at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh to secure Donegal’s first competitive win of 2014.
Mac Niallais was stationed at wing-half forward against Armagh after lining out at midfield against Tyrone
Mac Niallais told Donegal Daily that while he enjoyed more freedom at wing-half forward against Armagh, he is willingly to play anywhere on the pitch as long as gets to play.
Mac Niallais said, “I played midfield at underage and U21 level with Gaoth Dobhair but at senior level with the club I would have been utilized more in an inside forward role.
“I played a couple of club games at midfield towards the end of last year for Gaoth Dobhair and I really enjoyed it.
“For Donegal I was used at midfield in challenge matches against Roscommon and Fermanagh and thankfully I did quite well.
“I started there against Tyrone and it was tough as Tyrone are a very physical outfit but I felt I applied myself quite well.
Mac Niallais burst on to the inter-county scene in last season’s Dr McKenna cup competition netting 1-3 against St.Mary’s.
However his opportunities after this were limited, he made brief cameo appearances in the National League against Down and then against Dublin in a match that seen Donegal relegated to Division Two.
Mac Niallais didn’t feature in any of Donegal’s Championship matches last summer.
This year however he’s hoping to see more game time in the League and also come Championship when they face bitter rivals Derry.
Mac Niallais, “It was frustrating last year, I missed the first couple of McKenna cup matches through illness, but made it back for the last game against St.Mary’s and done well.
“But opportunities were difficult to come by and I didn’t feature much in the League and played no part in the Championship.
“Hopefully this year I can play more and make a bigger impact, I’m delighted with how things have gone so far this season but I know I need to keep working hard and hopefully I can become a permanent fixture in the side.
“We have great players in the squad, but I’m hopeful that if I can keep working hard and can remain injury free then I’ll have a good chance to feature more than I did last season.
Mac Niallais is conscious of the fact that positions are up for grabs in the Donegal half-forward line.
With Ross Wherity and Ryan Bradley gone from the panel and with Leo McLoone being used at centre-half back there could be opportunities for the Gaoth Dobhair man to stake a claim for a slot in the half-forward line when Championship action rolls into town in June.
“The competition for places is fierce, but I suppose it’s one line of the side that has seen change over the years and with Ross and Ryan now gone from the panel an opportunity could be there.
“I’m just going to keep working hard and hopefully the hard work will pay off.
When asked about the transition form club football to inter-county football Mac Niallais was blunt saying the difference was like ‘night and day’.
“It’s massive, the step up in quality and intensity is huge and I don’t think anyone fully understands the difference until they make that transition.
“When I trained last year with Donegal it was really tough, but when I went back to training with the club I found it much easier.
“I suppose we’re training nearly everyday and that’s a lot more than you’re average club player so I suppose it’s shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that such a gap exists.
“Any day we’re not training collectively we’re in the gym, it’s a massive commitment to play inter-county football but I’m loving the challenge and I love playing for Donegal.
Mac Niallais has certainly impressed all that have seen him this season and if the young Gaoth Dobhair player continues to blossom and develop he could have a big impact for Donegal later on this summer.