DONEGAL MANAGER JIM McGuinness is never one to avoid casting an eye across other sporting fields.
Perhaps, though, a small tinge of regret may hit him whenever Goodison Park comes onto his screen.
Everton’s Seamus Coleman is Killybegs born and bred. And McGuinness didn’t require a first, never mind a second, invitation to wax lyrical about the Toffee fullback this week.
“Seamus is a player that would be with us now, because he was a brilliant minor and under-21 and everything.
“He would be with us,” The All Ireland winning coach said at the launch of Arthur Guinness Projects. “I’m sure he would probably be in the team because he was Michael Murphy, Leo McLoone’s vintage.”
Prior to putting a foot on the professional football ladder as a raiding right fullback with Sligo Rovers, Coleman was doing much the same, only through the middle as a centre back with Killybegs.
“Ah, a brilliant player,” McGuinness continues with an exhale. “Play anywhere and the thing about him is exactly what you are seeing on television: athleticism, skill and a brilliant attitude. A hard working, industrious attitude with a serious sprinkling of quality.”
It’s a description that could easily be transplanted onto last year’s footballer of the year, Karl Lacey.
“Yeah,” agrees McGuinness. “That’s what he’s bringing to soccer and that’s what he would bring to Gaelic. He’s at all the games and he goes to all the club matches at Killybegs.
“He is a fantastic lad and I think there is a lot more to come from him. I think he is going to go the whole way, Seamus.”
Jim McGuinness was pictured at the launch of ‘Arthur Guinness Projects’, a major new cultural initiative that will champion Ireland’s talent and creativity. The Donegal manager, along with fellow sports panel members, will choose and provide mentoring to selected projects and applications can be submitted via www.ArthurGuinnessProjects.com
Fair play to them. Dead right.
What Delaney gave each club a fortnight ago wouldn’t cover a 2 week holiday away for himself and the blonde
I would love it if all the clubs did likewise. Keep the pressure on Delaney and someday he will topple. We can all live in hope.
Love the way Delaney said that he cares about the loi yet he called it irish footballs problem child. Loi needs some proper investment. There is absolutely no marketing or promotion for the league. Eir do show a match a week but thats it. The fai’s website has no mention of the league. The league has potential but there is not a lot of intrest unfortunately
Every other club should follow suit. It was an absolute derisory “grant”. It’s like Delaney sat around the table with the other suits and thought “what’s the best way we can troll the clubs”.
There not the only club to reject it i can promise that. Also the 100k is to hire a consultant employed by the fai. The clubs wont see one cent of any monies
This has so backfired on the bourgeois FAI, viva la revolution
5k is a slap in the face!
Fran Gavin and Fai taking the piss and they know it. He was on radio 1 earlier to boast about how the fai are great facilitating dundalk by having next game at lansdowne road…that it’s the only place deserving for such a momentus fixture. The only fitting place for a home leg to be played is at home. But Delaney and co couldn’t care less.
Fair f-ing play, say it like it is! With the money earned by Dundalk they should take the FAI to court, this is nothing short of disgraceful!
Delaney calls the league a problem Child but refuses to do anything about it. He probably thought the 5k would shut them up. He’s all that’s wrong with irish football.
Full credit for the bluntness. FAI have a lot to answer for and they’ve been getting away with too much in relation to salaries. The €5k hand out is an insult and clubs should rally to the public to put the FAI to shame. At least a minimum of €2m should be going into the league each season. Do the FAI not realise what Dundalk and Cork have achieved over the last few weeks? Based on the quality and achievements we have made with limited resources, surely the FAI identify the league as a serious opportunity? The more we can bring awareness and create public debate about the allocation of our national association’s finances, the more likely change will have to happen to get rid of cronyism.
Steven stick to Kerry GAA because you know Sweet F%@k all about LOI. Hopefully all clubs will refuse the paltry breadcrumbs handed down from the head honcho. 100K between 20 Clubs is an insult to the hardworking people of the LOI. How much did that pre season friendly in the Aviva make them last week when 45000 turned up.
I know plenty about it actually for your information. So keep your comments to yourself. I also happen to know how much clubs waste funding when it’s just handed to them. Have you do much when it comes to helping LOI clubs? Or are you just one of them people who just complain about everything?
So you know plenty about clubs wasting funds? Enlighten us….. Yes I Do do a lot for my club. I try to attend every home game and im driving 3 hours tonight to watch them and have been doing so for the past 13 years. So the answer to your question is no, I’m not one of those ppl who complain about everything. I’m one of those who actually gives a F@#k about football in this country and supports his local club.
As someone who sometimes pokes fun at the LOI he is dead right. It’s an insult to offer them 5k
The key word there is “claimed” While it’s a ridiculous amount considering what would have been gotten after the Euros I can’t see too many clubs saying no to it. As I’ve said before just handing out money to clubs will not solve anything. It’ll just be wasted and they’ll be back again looking for more. Clubs who want money to improve Grounds etc should be given money from the fai definitely, but they shouldn’t be just handed lump sums just for a sake of it
Bitter sweet moment for the league as Dundalk on brink of incredible financial windfall. But fact remains, FAI is a fiefdom that serves the interests of one man.
http://soccerful.com/2016/08/dundalk-fc-european-success-reward/
Time for Delaney to go but won’t do so. Keeps fininical matters very close to himself. Rest of FAI officials are yes men. League needs a new man to strive for real change and progress for league. Many matche’s been played in front of a few hundred people ! Delaney has no love for local soccer just the buzz of the International scene. 5 k grant a total embarrassment. Sad !