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Paul Durcan in action for Donegal against Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-final. James Crombie/INPHO

Donegal's Allstar goalkeeper set for move to Qatar putting inter county future in doubt

Paul Durcan has been a key member of the Donegal side.

DONEGAL’S ALLSTAR WINNING goalkeeper Paul Durcan’s inter county future is in doubt as he gets set to move to Qatar in the coming weeks.

It’s understood that Durcan is moving to Doha, the capital of the Middle East country, where his wife is set to take up a teaching position.

Durcan was between the posts last Saturday when Donegal’s 2015 campaign came to an end as they suffered a quarter-final loss to Mayo in Croke Park.

It is still unclear whether Durcan will return to the fold in time for Donegal’s 2016 campaign.

An All-Ireland winner in 2012, Durcan has established himself as one of the top keepers in the country and claimed Allstar awards in 2012 and 2014.

The 31 year-old moved earlier this year from his native Four Masters club to Ballyboden St-Enda’s in Dublin, where he works and lives.

Paul Durcan celebrates with the Sam Maguire Paul Durcan celebrates Donegal's 2012 All-Ireland win. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Durcan is a cousin of current Ballyboden defender Robert McDaid, a member of the Dublin U21 team that won the All-Ireland final last year.

There is speculation over the future of several Donegal players, as to whether they will be back in action for the 2016 season.

Rory Gallagher Donegal manager Rory Gallagher James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Donegal have enjoyed a brilliant run of success in contesting the last five Ulster finals as well as the 2012 and 2014 All-Ireland deciders.

All-Ireland glory arrived in 2012 while Donegal triumphed in Ulster in 2011, 2012 and 2014. But some of those leading figures may not opt to bow out and followed the lead of Rory Kavanagh, who was a high-profile retirement last winter.

Neil Gallagher and Christy Toye Donegal's Neil Gallagher and Christy Toye Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Christy Toye’s 33rd birthday will be next March while Neil Gallagher and Colm McFadden will both turn 33 next May. Panellist David Walsh turns 33 this week.

Elsewhere Karl Lacey is 32 next month and Eamonn McGee turns 32 next April.

Having featured in intensive campaigns in recent years, the make up of Donegal’s campaign before the start of the 2016 season is unclear.

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    Mute David O'Connor
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    Oct 12th 2014, 8:52 PM

    Fair play to the white pele, only 22 behind Robbie now.

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    Mute Peter Dunne
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    Oct 12th 2014, 10:50 PM

    I thought Gary Doherty was the white Pele.

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    Mute Jonjo Shelvey
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    Oct 13th 2014, 8:14 AM

    I thought I was the white Pele

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    Mute Dermot Irish
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    Oct 12th 2014, 8:07 PM

    I smell heavy betting

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    Mute thetruth
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    Oct 12th 2014, 7:45 PM

    W.t.f. was he diving for? Jaysis you would have been able to boot that clear

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    Mute Michael O'Reilly
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    Oct 13th 2014, 12:37 AM

    That was a good win for England tonight. Irish media are (rightfully) quick to pick holes in England’s deficiencies which have been glaringly obvious for years. We laugh when their supporters talk up their chances of winning an upcoming tournament. So we can’t do that on one hand but then berate them for going to Estonia and picking up a good away win. Estonia aren’t San Marino or Gibraltar, they’re competitive enough. England are very ordinary but they’re having a great campaign so far.

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