ON A WEEK DONEGAL face into the unenviable task of taking on the highest scoring team in the country, Jim McGuinness isn’t about to start picking holes in Dublin’s defence.
Ahead of the counties’ meeting in the All-Ireland semi-final meeting on Sunday, McGuinness says “it’s a bit of an illusion” that Dublin are suspect at the back.
“The stats don’t back that up. People say ‘Dublin go one on one’ or ‘they leave space at the back’ but when was the last time a forward line absolutely destroyed them?” he said.
“Space is one thing but they have top backs with pace and power, they’re holding their own with everyone.
“There is space there but penetrating that space, taking their backs on and getting the better of them is easier said than done. There is this perception that Dublin are this swashbuckling attacking animal but they are excellent defensively.”
Despite the gushing praise, the Donegal boss was keen to point out that he feels his players are ready for what Dublin will throw at them.
“They’re is no doubt about their athleticism but we’re comfortable with that. We’re happy with where we’re at. It doesn’t keep us up at night.
“We’ve a lot of work done. It’s when you have four, five and six players coming and supporting at the same pace, that’s when it’s difficult to hold them. That’s the challenge in front of us.”
Colm McFadden has come under some criticism this year for failing to hit the highs he has achieved over the last couple of years. He has looked like nowhere near the player who came so close to winning Footballer of the Year in 2012, but is McGuinness worried about his lack of form?
“No. Absolutely not. We’ve a very clear vision in our minds how we approach football. We’re in the middle of that now.
“It’s about being as thorough as possible and getting everything right our end before we go out and try to execute that. We can’t control what’s going on in Dublin. We need to look at ourselves.
“Every single player in the side is crucial. If Paddy McGrath doesn’t do his job the corner forward on the opposition’s team will do the damage.
“Is Paddy therefore less valuable than Colm (McFadden)? I think not. It’s the same for the goalkeeper, full forward and so on. Everyone is crucial.”
“All our forwards have come up against tight defences. There is this perception that if you take Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy out of the game then Donegal won’t win. That proved to be incorrect this year as we got our scores from other places.
“If you have three men marking an inside forward then that means there is space somewhere else and someone is obviously free. We try to push those players into areas that make them dangerous.”
Donegal spent five days last week training at Johnstown House in Enfield fine tuning their plans for Sunday’s game and preparation is something McGuinness prides himself on.
“We’ve been working since the start of the year on developing systems and develop things that hopefully make us a better and more efficient side. We can’t disregard that now just because it’s Dublin. That wouldn’t work. Psychologically, it would throw the players.
“It’s 100 percent about the players, what they do and how they interpret things. We pass information on that we think is relevant to the game. It is then up to them to make that information work.
“But they’ve been absolutely fantastic. You give them information and they try to deliver it to the best of their ability.
“That point we scored the last day (winner against Armagh), there was no coaching involved there. That’s decision making.
“You have to give players that flexibility. We’re very fortunate to have the group of players we have, how talented they are and how committed they are.
“For me, it’s been an unbelievable experience working with them.”
Incredible coach, no matter what happens this Sunday Jim you’ve done donegal some service.
He got lucky.
We’ll done Alan, officially the least intelligent remark since the Bush administration
I think it’s going to be fascinating to see what Donegal bring on Sunday. Probably the only team with the organisation and discipline to carry out the sort of game plan required to take down the Dubs!..
We know what he’ll bring mortar bricks and water
Either way it should be a good game of football on Sunday!
The second in a series of mind-games from the Donegal camp this week.
Dublin – keep your focus!
Typical shite from him what a fool thinking dublin buy into it
Paul he’d be a fool for not trying it! Even the dogs in the street know that if he allows this to turn into a football match then Donegal have no hope! I love a bit of the cynical side of sports, it’s what makes the spectacle, nobody wants to see Dublin steamroll their way to an AI!
Another poor attempt by Jimmy to nominate Gavin for a puke bucket challenge!!
Paul Grimley gets slated for not talking to the media, Jim talks to the media & guess what?
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
How anyone could read that interview & decide that it’s Jim playing “mind games” is beyond me.
Some people need to go back to the tablets!!
I suppose your spin is that Armagh were just holding their counsel this season. Stupid comment – it’s mind games if he praises and it’s mind games if he says they are like professionals.
The panel of players Dublin managed to pick from over 1 million people should beat Donegal! The same team who never play anywhere else except croke park, and they still trail Kerry by a long way in titles! C’mon Donegal and beat these bunch of luis Suarez impersonators!
I’ve never heard any of those points being made here before Cathal . Well done on your originality!
Anyone who wants to see Donegal and their style of play beat Dublin is not a fan of Gaelic football.
That’s one stupid comment
@Aideen: Donegal should, of course come out, play open football and get obliterated by Dublin in order to satisfy the “true” football fans.
Anyone who can’t understand another way of playing football shouldn’t be allowed comment on the game! I suppose Tyrone should give back their medals because they didn’t play like the dubs! Is there no camoige site you can comment on?
Sexist as well as obnoxious! Almost a triple threat Cathal! Your mother must be so proud. Oh and by the way, I’m in work since 7, no collecting the dole for me and I didn’t wear my pyjamas either, sorry to disappoint you!
Wel said Aideen same old bull from him
Cathal, I didn’t realise every single person in Dublin was a male who played Gaelic football? In reality the pool of people that play in Dublin is significantly less than the total population.
Without checking the latest census I’m fairly sure that is the case in most counties.
Golden thinks 1m people play GAA in dublin I wish lol
Aideen,
I’m no fan of the sexist language but in all honesty your original point about people who want to see Donegal win not being fans of footbal, is silly in the extreme.
There is more than one way to play the game & while Dublin are great to watch, I am really looking forward to seeing the contrasting styles come up against each other
At work since seven ? I hope your boss isn’t watching you post on this forum. To say someone is not a fan of Gaelic football if they want to see Donegal win is arrogant in the extreme.
You sound like an anti dub , my grandparents are from Mayo Sligo and Galway I always supported them when the dubs went out . It’s funny how when Kerry and Dublin played in 2011 everyone wanted Dublin to win and now because there still winning the whole country is jealous of them . Ya should be congratulating the dubs for there hard work and effort not begrudging them they don’t get payed they work hard for there success get a grip ya loser I’d say ya never kicked a ball in your life ya dope
If the amount of people in the county meant success surely Dublin would win it every year?
Donegal idiot
Jim Mc Guinness is the greatest manager of the modern era. It’s not all about management though. Dubs might be too strong this weekend.
He won one all ireland how is he the greateat manager of the modern era .
And a fairly lucky one at that.
Explain how it was lucky please? Waiting with great anticipation of an astute, insightful answer!
If Gus Poyet wins the league just once with Sunderland then he would be one of the greatest managers. It’s not unfair to suggest taking a team who were knocked out by Antrim and beaten by 15odd points by Armagh and turning them into All Ireland champions is a serious achievement.
Some understandably don’t like his tactics but it’s his job to get the best results for his county, not to play the most watchable football.
Jim Gavin should equally take pride in turning around an underperforming Dublin panel and making them ferociously competitive. Both teams deserve success for the way they are maximising their resources.
Of the modern era, Mickey Harte deserves credit as manager who achieved most! That being said, I imagine Jim Gavin is going to notch another two All-Ireland titles before he’s finished with Dublin to put himself in the mix of the debate! If you’re to say McGuinness deserved equal plaudits, so too does every other manager who bagged an All-Ireland in past 20-odd years!
jims wining games ( jim Gavin that is )
Ah jesus if there was ever a statement so off the mark that was it!
Gavin turned around an underperforming Dublin panel?? They won the All Ireland the year before he got the job!
McGuinness is worried about a rail strike next week. He figures that there will be no busses left in Donegal to park in front of Hill16!!!!
Up the dubs!!!!!
Theres is no train lines in donegal anyway.
And there is no rail strike planned for that weekend in any case.
Wow I didn’t expect to get any rebuttals until at least midday! Good job on getting up lads and lassies in Dublin, now hands up if any of you have collected the dole yet in your pyjamas!
Ul be talkin out of the other side of your mouth come Sunday and if I were u I have a look round other parts off the country when it comes to the P J s we set trends up here in the smoke use rednecks follow them sure the dirt down here stops wearing pjs two years ago can’t say the same from some other kips I been to outside the pale
Golden as long as dublin bank roll you you’ll continue to be able to afford a pc to type trash so you can thank us now
Well that’s just indecipherable Rildo.
What is
F..k you that clear enough gabby
Alan Clarke I suppose Kerry had more jobs more people more money when they were dominating for years ya fool. I was at every game since 95 it took 16 years to win an all Ireland and it was hard work under age ! Dublin are the most skilled team and clearly they have worked hard for there success don’t be a jealous sour bogman
Well said Ryan. Dublin supporters had 16 years of being laughed at. We never took it to heart because we knew we weren’t good enough. I’ll enjoy these days now because they won’t last forever. And the fact that it makes some country cousins bitter makes success all the sweeter :)
Well said – Donegal fans feel the same. We’ve a great coach and many wonderful players in a squad that’s grown. Looking forward to the minors playing at Croke park with the seniors.
It’s so much more difficult to get to Croke Park through the ulster SFC so we’re just going to savour these moments until someone takes our place.
Donegals a lovely country and so are it’s people but I’d love to see that “football” system they play staked through the heart by the Dubs on Sunday.
Greatest manager of the modern era. That’s like a Fine Gael statement saying the country is no longer in debt and spend away mad pure horse shît.
Sounds like a manager that has very little faith in his team. Making all these excuses before a ball is even kicked!
Hope Donegal beat the S@#te out of Dublin, the Dubs have an unfair advantage over the other 31 counties. More money, more players, more training facilities, more jobs, only 7 players on dub panel with full time Jobs the rest are working for the Gaa. A joke and all of their games played at HQ.
Bitter much Alan
Clarke your just making the rest of the country look moronic
Kerry won more all Ireland’s than dublin
Kilkenny won more than any other county by a mile
They must have all the lucky jobs as well
‘only 7 players on dub panel with full time Jobs the rest are working for the Gaa’ – you couldn’t be more incorrect. You might want to do your research before you throw out incorrect info. Which of these 17 (not 7) work for the GAA?
http://www.dublingaa.ie/teams/senior-football
Bank clerk, account manager, accountant, business advisor, sales rep, tax consultant, stockbroker, Quantity Surveyor, 3 teachers, Leinster Rugby fitness coach, gym instructor, insurance clerk, h&s advisor, business owner, physio.
Alan Clarke, the fact of the matter is we are better than you and you are bitter about it. It has nothing to do with jobs or money. In fact if you’re not working, surely you have more time to practise and train? It has all to do with underage coaching and the fact that Dublin has left the rest of the country behind in that matter. Hard work = success. Teams like Mayo and Kerry understand this. People like you obviously don’t.
Ah jesus so having a job makes them better players…what the hell has happened to me then!?
Winning all Ireland’s is all the more sweater when you know how much it annoys some of our country brethren!! We’ll have 6 or 7 points to spare against Donegal.
Go and have a lie down in a dark room Cathal that child in your picture would talk more sense than you .
She is fairly advanced for her age john! I put it down to good genes!
I’m hoping for a good game on Sunday, with both team having complete opposite tactics it should be interesting to see how goes. As a Donegal person of course I would love to see us win but with the current form of the Dublin team it will require something special for Donegal to come away with a win. Like what was said in the article “Every single player in the side is crucial.” for Donegal, if all 15 players aren’t on top form on Sunday then it only makes the task of overcoming Dublin a lot harder, unless Dublin decide to have an off day which I high doubt will happen.
As for Donegal’s ‘system’ or play style, deal with it. At the end of the day they are there to win matches by whatever means necessary, not entertain or put on a ‘good show’
Agreed, I hope the Dubs win but this nonsense about Donegal’s style of play is tiresome. Play to your strengths – nobody in Donegal or the rest of the country would thank them for playing so called ‘open football’ and then getting beaten out the gate.
I think it will be an interesting clash of styles this time and Donegal are the first real AI contender or even Division 1 team that the Dubs have met so far.
Hel be remembered for making a shit Donegal team into a good side who play the worst type of football ever seen ! Hopefully the dubs give them a good spanking and we never see that horrible shit ever again from Donegal ! Dubs to win by 8
Hey why can’t we all just get along and accept that the Dubs are arrogant sophisticates with unlimited financial resources and guaranteed home advantage whereas the rest of the country is populated with uneducated boors who can hardly be trained to tie their own shoe laces?
Who said the rest of the country was ‘populated with uneducated boors who can hardly be trained to tie their own shoe laces’? If anyone’s intelligence or work etchic was questioned here it was the Dubs ‘Wow I didn’t expect to get any rebuttals until at least midday! Good job on getting up lads and lassies in Dublin, now hands up if any of you have collected the dole yet in your pyjamas!’
I said it Aideen. Its right there in the comment you just replied to.
Where ya from ?
I was going to just say I’m an arrogant sophisticate but realised that only the dubs would understand.
I’m from Dubbelin (and I don’t mean anything that I say).
It’s an illusion that Donegal play actual football. Roll on Sunday get rid of them once and for all out the championship
Sligo for Sam 2015! I got the ould jackeens riled up yippee! Do you anything in that job of yours aideen? Get them dishes washed for goodness sake! My mother would not be proud of me because I was brought up by a same sex couple! I love me daddies so I do, jaysus!
Sligo, the Accrington Stanley of GAA. As in “who the hell are they? Exactly!!”
Camogie that would be Cathal ~ the level of spelling on this thread is shocking. Dublin will beat Donegal by more than 12 points.
Aideen
Your are obviously the Dublin physio. Dublin are over hyped, I am pretty sure if you guys draw with Donegal that you would not have to go to Limerick or anywhere else to play your replay. You get an unfair advantage that is not afforded to other Counties, this is my point really.
Unfair advantage that has only been mentioned since Dublin started winning All Irelands again. It’s like a broken record here