Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

They have to go straight to Jim. If he’s not interested, next stop Malachy O’Rourke.

As far as internal candidates go, I’d give it to McHugh if he wanted to finally manage the county. Not that I necessarily think McHugh is the best internal candidate, but in the same way that if Murphy ever wanted the job I’d give it to him too for what he’s done for the county.

Legends.

It’s being reported tonight that Jim is ruling himself out of the running for the managers job disappointing but not surprised …he’s holding out for job in the soccer! …Still no mention on who the members of the selection committee are ?

Hope I’m wrong but I feel Jim good s wasting his time with the soccer. Coaching a youth team in Derry? Say if Harps ever got rid of Ollie Horgan, would Jim be a candidate? I don’t think so.

I guess if he does want to make it as a soccer coach/manager showing his commitment by staying out of intercounty management could help his cause.

That or he doesn't see the same potential with this group of players (and, potentially a stronger Championship) than was the case in 2011. He has pretty much everything to lose and not much more to gain by coming back to DL IMHO. Much as I would like to see it.

While Jim may have ambitions to manage a LOI club I honestly can’t see it happening much like there isn’t many examples I can think of who switch from soccer to Gaa …likewise I would find it baffling if Jim was holding out for the harps job over any senior intercounty job

I hope Ollie is going nowhere! Harps are having a rotten season, but they basically had to start again this year after losing most of the squad at the end of last season. In the absence of a Finn Harps thread on boards, I want to put on record that I think Ollie performed miracles keeping them in the Premier Division as long as he did.

However, if Ollie were to go, and Jim is still looking for a chance to prove himself as a soccer coach, I hope he takes over and can prove to himself once and for all if he can make the grade. But like most of us, God it would be good if he came back for another go at the Donegal job. Not gonna happen now by the looks of it. I think most of us are stumped as to who is next up though, the silence is worrying given the lack of faith I have in the county board.

Yeah I don't know about this new format. I think it's damaging to the Ulster Championship. If your a team with All Ireland ambitions say Tyrone or us if we were going well and you draw each other or Armagh Monaghan in a preliminary round do you want a series of tough games to win Ulster and then face into 3 more in a group stage followed by 3 / 4 more depending on where you finish. We seen how injuries hit us last time there was super 8s. I would think if you really want to win a title teams may need to prioritise one Championship over the other. The advantage a provincial champion gets in the All Ireland is effectively gone now in comparison to what it was which I don't think is a good thing.

Interesting piece by Declan Bogue on McGuinness at the weekend. I can't link to it as behind the paywall but essence was that he will find it very hard to get a good job in soccer because of the pool of former players who are now coaches he will compete against and because at least outside of Ireland the GAA won't mean anything to prospective employers.

All fair comments I would say. Gist was that surely DL job is McGuinness' if he wants it. Now, of course it was reported last week that he had ruled himself out but that piece contained no quotes from the man himself.

Not that Bogue would have any access to McGuinness of course....

McHugh and Maxi emerge as Donegal management team possibility – Donegal Daily

Interesting

Apparently defences struggle when Michael Murphy stays inside and long ball is kicked into him

I wouldn’t object too hard to McHugh taking the role but with Mark and Maxi???

Surely, with his knowledge and contacts he would be able to assemble a decent backroom team.

Mark’s not exactly an example of what we need. A guy who openly admitted in the media that he didn’t train and played anyway, having gotten a pass from the family friend and now Derry manager.

If we were to have ex players in there, probably best to have ones that applied themselves a little more.

Maxi…just no.

I know nothing about Curran but he's not very popular apparently. I think Malachy O'Rourke would be a good option...he brought Monaghan from nowhere with a limited pool to fish from.We have to get away from the constant lateral football, mix it up a little with foot passes & we saw how effective the high ball in can be, won the game for us against Cavan & Armagh got 3 goals against Galway with hit & hope. If big Michael was in around the square it would give us the option. It will take a manager with courage to change the system & i'm not sure Martin McHugh is the man to do it.

Can somebody give me any proper reason as to why Martin McHugh should be seriously considered for any county management role other than he was a brilliant player 30 + years ago and had a few years with cavan in the 90's.

Nonsense stuff. Malachy being touted and he's probably the best available manager.