Jim McGuinness hasn’t ruled out a return as Donegal manager

Glenties man signs up as new Sky GAA pundit

Kevin McGillicuddy

Jim McGuinness hasn’t ruled out a return as Donegal manager

He’s back…

Just somehow this year’s Allianz National football league just didn’t feel the same without the presence of Jim McGuinness. The man who almost redefined football at the start of this decade hasn’t been seen on a sideline or on our TV screens since last year’s All-Ireland final loss to Kerry and his subsequent resignation.

But now he’s back as one of Sky Sports new GAA pundits in what can be regarded as a major coup for the station who will debut the first of their 20 live games this season at the start of June.

McGuinness and Kilkenny’s legendary defender JJ Delaney are the new faces being brought on board by the British broadcaster this campaign, but the current Celtic performance coach has no worries about having to analyse some of his former charges,

‘It’s going to be events that have already happened that you are going to discuss and like everybody else you are looking forward to the games and seeing how are they going to unfold.’

‘I think the excitement of the championship is something that has been inside us from a very young age. When the music for the Sunday Game used to come on years ago it used to give you that sort of sense of excitement and I think you bring that with you. I think its one of those where you are in a privileged position to be going and looking at the games and for me now it is not just Donegal games but a lot of other teams around the country as well which opens things up for me and that is probably a good thing for myself.’

McGuinness was last seen on a GAA field as he tried to console his devastated Donegal players following the narrow loss to Kerry in the All-Ireland final in September just gone. The county have moved on with Rory Gallagher now at the helm, but the man who led the county to three of the last four Ulster titles is still at somewhat of a loss to explain the defeat:

‘The key thing was we didn’t perform to our normal level. That was the key thing and disappointing thing and very unusual for us as a group and I think its important to move forward and I suppose rather than talk about last September to be fair to the players there now, I think it is important they look to the future and drive on for this championship.’

Donegal’s opening game in this year’s championship will be a mouthwatering clash later this month against old foes Tyrone. The sides’ league clash saw McGuinness’ former charges inflict a heavy defeat on Mickey Harte’s side. The form guide would suggest that Donegal will also claim the championship scalp of their Ulster rivals, but the Glenties man warns of a huge battle in Ballybofey on May 17th

‘Donegal, I think, are a very mature team and have been through a lot together as a group. I think the squad is very strong and I think the experience of losing the All-Ireland last year could be a very powerful one going into this season.’

‘I think you know probably over the last couple of years Donegal probably have had the upper hand in terms of physicality and strength but looking at Tyrone they seem to have gone back to basics to an extent.’

‘I think they are playing a very strong running game with off the shoulder support and that served them very well in the past. The U21s played a similar brand of football on Saturday night so it will be interesting to see if they go back to 2008 and 2005 and a really hard running game.’

This season will be the first since 2011 that will not have the very distinct imprint of McGuinness written all over it. His role as a pundit will see catch games across all of the various provinces, so who does he feel will be in the final come August in the race for Sam Maguire,

‘Dublin will be there, Kerry, Donegal, Mayo. For me the All-Ireland champions will come from those four teams but that said every other game has the potential to be an upset and we know that from history. Every game is a huge game, none bigger than the first one in the preliminary round. There are a lot of big games ahead but in terms of the business end and trying to get over the line and winning an All-Ireland one of the top four will come through.’

McGuinness was responsible for a number of shocks during his four year spell in charge of the Ulster side but surely none quite a seismic as their annihilation of Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland football semi-final.

Jim Gavin has clearly learned from the mistakes made that day as his side are now set up much more defensive while still retaining an impressive attacking threat. What has McGuinness made of the new look and style from the Leinster champions:

‘They have tried things out and probably have been looking at things in training, time will tell. We won’t really know until they start playing Championship games and they are going to have to show their hand and decide what they want to do. Are they going to go man to man or are they going to play zonal in the half-back line or maybe keep one sweeper back. It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out.’
What I do know is that they still have the best squad of players in the country, very athletic, very dynamic, the biggest squad in the country. I think if they get things right between now and the Championship they will be a force to be reckoned with.’

Midway through his spell as Donegal boss and just months after the county claimed only their second All-Ireland title ever McGuinness was appointed as a performance coach with Celtic football club.

The Donegal manager juggled his role with the club with of the demand of an inter county manager. How has he found life in a professional club now that he can devote all his energy and time to working with one of the most famous clubs in the world?

‘In terms of stepping down from Donegal after four/five years with the 21s, very, very intensive years, it has been refreshing in terms of not managing a group of players of 33 or 34 men and a backroom team on top of that.

‘That said, it’s been a very busy schedule in terms of juggling Celtic in a full-time capacity and working exclusively with the first team now. It’s been out of the frying pan to the fire to a certain extent but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve really enjoyed working with Ronnie and the coaches and that has also given me the opportunity to do my coaching badges, which hopefully will add a lot to the job I already do.’

‘Then possibly looking at coaching younger players in the academy in parallel with doing my badges. It’s still very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to starting my UEFA “B” in two weeks’ time.’

I’m really enjoying it at the moment and learning every day. The coaches with Celtic have been very good as well. They’ve given me a couple of hours here and there in terms of defensive structures, what they do and what they like to do. The manager said he is going to give me a couple of sessions as well, maybe this season coming in so I’m looking forward to that and being around that type of people who will sort of educate you and develop you and then it’s up to yourself to bring them concepts forward. It’s been very enjoyable and it’s something that I really enjoy doing anyway and we’ll see where it takes us now.’

McGuinness is the most successful Donegal manager in their history, and even now, months after his departure his shadow looms large over all aspects of Gaelic football. His influence has been possibly felt in every club in the country at some stage over the last number of years,either directly or indirectly. Is there a possibility that he may someday return to GAA and once again stalk the sidelines?

‘I would never rule it out. I’ve two sons, one five and one four, and there’s probably a higher percentage chance of being involved with the Glenties U8s or U10s then there is with Donegal in the short term. Obviously, I love me county and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. I know the boys aren’t finished yet but the period I had with them for four years with the seniors and the one year with the 21s were probably the best years of my life in terms of experience and developing and growing as a person and the people you were working with. I would never close a book on it, absolutely not. We’ll just see how things develop.

‘It’ll just be about opportunity and seeing could you add value and if the timing is right and family and all that type of stuff would have to be taken into it. Really, I’ve got an open mind on it at the moment. It’s something I would definitely not rule out.’

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