Leo McLoone

McLoone collected his fifth and final Ulster SFC in 2019, appearing as a substitute in the final against Cavan. He decided to retire from inter-county football at the age of 30 at the end of the 2019 season, but this only became public knowledge much later (though manager and teammates were aware). Declan Bonner confirmed McLoone had retired while speaking at a press event on 25 January 2020 ahead of Donegal's second National Football League game of the season, away to Meath. He made 109 appearances for his county.

However, frustrated at not featuring regularly, he departed from the inter-county scene in 2017. Manager Declan Bonner convinced him to return for 2018. McLoone started the final as Donegal secured the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship. He made his 100th senior appearance for Donegal during the 2019 National Football League. Following his 101st appearance in the next match (against Armagh and his first start of the season), he was presented with an honour to commemorate his achievement.

McLoone was 'man-of-the-match' in the final of the 2015 Donegal Senior Football Championship, as him and his club claimed their third title. He also captained that team.

On 16 June 2012, he scored an important goal against Derry to help Donegal through to an Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final meeting with Tyrone. He was subsequently named in the team for the final. He had a terrific game in that final on 22 July 2012 as Donegal retained the Ulster title for the first time in their history with a 2–18 to 0–13 victory over Down. McLoone scored a goal in the final. He played in the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final against Mayo.

In March 2011, McLoone broke his ankle. Then, upon returning to the game, he sustained a horrific injury during a club meeting between Naomh Conaill and Glenswilly; a double fracture of his eye socket which required surgery. The injury caused him to miss Donegal's Ulster Senior Football Championship final win over Derry. He had come off the bench to help Donegal overcome Tyrone in the semi-final. He had only returned for Donegal from his broken ankle in the Ulster SFC quarter-final victory over Cavan. He was eventually declared fit for Donegal's All-Ireland semi-final clash with Dublin; however Donegal lost that game.

He inspired his club to the Donegal Senior Football Championship title for a second time in 2010, with a man of the match display. Then he inspired them to the final of the 2010 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, knocking out Cavan champions Kingscourt, Monaghan champions Clontibret and Tyrone champions Coalisland along the way.

McLoone played for Donegal in the final of the Ulster Under-21 Football Championship in 2010. He then played in the final of the 2010 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship, which Donegal (managed by Jim McGuinness) narrowly lost to Dublin (managed by Jim Gavin), though McLoone scored a goal.

Brian McIver gave McLoone his senior Donegal debut in 2008; McLoone was a substitute against Mayo. McIver's successor John Joe Doherty gave McLoone his first start during a 2009 All-Ireland qualifier win against Carlow at MacCumhaill Park.

McLoone played in the Ulster Minor Football Championship Final as Donegal won their first such title in 10 years at Croke Park in 2006.

As a 16-year-old, McLoone was introduced as a substitute in the final of the 2005 Donegal Senior Football Championship, which the club won for the very first time.

Leo McLoone (born 1989) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Naomh Conaill and also, formerly, the Donegal county team.

McLoone's father was captain of the team that reached the Senior County Championship Final in 1965.