[1][2] Brendan Kilcoyne replaced Gary McDaid on the management team.
[5] Maxi Curran was also said to be involved in team preparations ahead of the 2016 Dr McKenna Cup, alongside Gallagher, Kilcoyne and Jack Cooney.
[4] Twelve players were added ahead of the season: Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Ciarán Thompson, Stephen McMenamin, Caolan McGonagle, Tony McClenaghan, Kieran Gillespie, Michael Carroll, Stephen McBrearty, Jack O'Brien (Naomh Muire), Danny Rodgers (An Clochán Liath; goalkeeper), Rory Carr (St Eunan's) and Caolan Ward.
[6] O'Brien played for Donegal in the 2016 National Football League semi-final against Dublin at Croke Park.
[17][18] A team captained by Jason McGee, and including Mark Curran, Enda McCormick, Odhrán McFadden-Ferry, Eoghan McGettigan, Peadar Mogan, Gavin Mulreany and Niall O'Donnell, advanced to the 2016 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship semi-final on 21 August.