Football

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness still on the lookout for players but insists backroom team is finalised

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness insists he is still on the lookout for new players to join the county set-up but says there will be no more additions to his backroom team Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness insists he is still on the lookout for new players to join the county set-up but says there will be no more additions to his backroom team Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
By Gerry McLaughlin

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness will not be making any additions to his backroom team and is looking forward to leading Donegal into the Dr McKenna Cup. 

McGuinness’s confirmation ends any speculation that Kilcoo boss Karl Lacey might be joining the backroom team after doubts emerged about his future after the Down champions were knocked out of the Ulster club championship by Scotstown.

But the Naomh Conaill club man is still on the look-out for players with possible county credentials. 

McGuinness, who was honoured at a Gala 50th Ball for Ulster University Jordanstown in the Great Northern Hotel Bundoran at the weekend, was presented with an award for captaining UU to Sigerson success in 2001, at a black-tie function attended by 450 patrons. 

Recalling his days at Jordanstown, McGuinness said he went to Jordanstown to study Sports Science. 

“I had been in Tralee IT for a few years and when the opportunity came to go to Jordanstown I took it. 

“Johnny McCafferty and Eamon Reddan from Donegal were in the squad that year and it was a tough team to make as there were a lot of quality players around. 

“Some of them went on to win All-Ireland titles afterwards. 

Read more:

  • Karl Lacey casts doubt on Kilcoo future after Ulster exit
  • The Second Coming: McGuinness to be named Donegal boss for a second time
  • Jim McGuinness: Tough Ulster SFC draw has focused the mind for Donegal
Ulster University’s Sigerson Cup-winning captains; Colin Harney (1986), DJ Kane (1987), Peter Donnelly (2008), Jim Mc Guinness (2001) and Noel Donnelly (1991) who were recognised at the Ulster University GAA club’s Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation PICTURE: OLIVER McVEIGH
Ulster University’s Sigerson Cup-winning captains; Colin Harney (1986), DJ Kane (1987), Peter Donnelly (2008), Jim Mc Guinness (2001) and Noel Donnelly (1991) who were recognised at the Ulster University GAA club’s Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation PICTURE: OLIVER McVEIGH

“I had captained Tralee previously, and we beat UCD in the final in Scotstown. 

“They were great days in Jordanstown and it was a great place to make new friends as Gaelic football is a great bond. 

“Looking around tonight, it is wonderful to see so many coming out for a function like this. 

When asked if Karl Lacey could be a possible addition to the back-room team, he said: 

“No we have our backroom team complete and we are starting to get ready. 

“But the full panel has not been finalised as we are still trialling and we have looked at a lot of players. 

“We have already looked at up to 48 to 49 in total, so we have done a really good trawl of the county with every division in Donegal and at younger players too. 

“That is very important too and some of them have showed up well so we will see how they go in the next few weeks.” 

McGuinness added that they were happy to take part in the Dr McKenna Cup and it was good to get games. 

When asked about the main difference in the game from the time he was in charge, he said: 

“By the end of next year I will have a better handle on it,  but obviously, the game has changed a lot and moved to a possession-based game in many respects, so we will have to deal with that.”