First featuring for his county's Gaelic football team under the management of Rory Gallagher, McGinley joined the senior team for the first time in 2015. He was among thirteen new members of the panel announced in late 2014 for Gallagher's first time in charge; others included Ciaran McGinley and Eoin McHugh. He served as a substitute for the All-Ireland winner Paul Durcan, following Michael Boyle's transfer to Boston before the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final against Derry; Durcan then transferred to Qatar, leaving the way clear for McGinley to become Donegal's goalkeeper.
2016
McGinley started three games during the 2016 National Football League, playing against Dublin at Croke Park and Monaghan, as well as in the league semi-final in Croke Park, also against Dublin. Gallagher had favoured Peter Boyle in goal for previous league fixtures of that campaign. McGinley's Championship debut came in the 2016 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Fermanagh; in goal from the start, he notably saved a Sean Quigley penalty which Neil McGee conceded during first half stoppage time. McGinley retained his place in goal for the semi-final against Monaghan - which Donegal won after a replay, also featuring McGinley in goal. McGinley played in the Ulster final, a narrow two-point loss to Tyrone, the subsequent All-Ireland qualifier defeat of Cork at Croke Park, and the All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Dublin at Croke Park.
2017
McGinley started in goal during many games of Donegal's 2017 National Football League campaign, including Kerry, the draw against Dublin, Monaghan and Mayo - the last of these in which he conceded a penalty which was dispatched by Cillian O'Connor, helping Mayo to a two-point victory. McGinley started in goal for Donegal in the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final victory over Antrim and the semi-final loss to Tyrone, as well as the All-Ireland qualifier victories over Longford and Meath before conceding a penalty and receiving a black card in the loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.
2018
Under new manager Declan Bonner, McGinley started in goal during Donegal's opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League campaign against Kerry, only to be injured in the seventeenth minute; Peter Boyle was sent onto the field of play in his place. He then lost his place as first Peter Boyle, and then Shaun Patton, started games in the league.
2019
In February 2019, McGinley — by then neglected by the Donegal Gaelic football team and with no place in the side — signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps. In March 2019, McGinley announced his departure from the Donegal Gaelic football team. He did so after Bonner opted for Patton as his first choice goalkeeper for the league fixture on the weekend of Saint Patrick's Day. Meanwhile, Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher sustained a long-term injury while playing against Dundalk, which - McGinley later confirmed - had led to Horgan contacting him. In April 2019, McGinley featured in his first Finn Harps squad for a league fixture against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds. Playing for them by May, against Derry City, McGinley made some critical saves in the first half to keep Finn Harps in the game; however, they lost what was a cup tie after extra-time.
