Posted online: Nov 7th, 2008

The Donegal team has at last got a new manager in John Joe Doherty but the manner of his appointment was consistent with the discourse surrounding the entire saga.

At the outset let me wish the new manager well in his efforts to make Donegal a team to fear once again, I don’t care who is charged with managing Donegal as long as that person is the best available for the job.

I went on the record six weeks ago about my concerns in relation to the interview process, as I always felt that neutrals, with one Donegal person on the interview board, was the way to conduct the business of finding the right man for the position

But in my wildest dreams I never remotely considered that the respect and honour of Donegal football could be tainted to the extent that it has over the last month.

The charade that was made of appointing a new manager was unprecedented in the history of Donegal football and all sorts of aspersions were being cast in public in what became a very public dispute.

John Joe Doherty, Charlie Mulgrew and Declan Bonner are very decent men who have devoted a great part of their life to Donegal football and they have all adorned Donegal football with their performances where it counts most on the playing pitch. The events of recent weeks were not of their making, all three simply wanted a chance to manage their county team.

Irrespective of the rights or wrongs of the latest debacle it is a fact that same officers have presided over the departure of Brian McIver, his reappointment and his subsequent departure from Donegal. The mess that was made of appointing a new manager quite frankly should never have happened and it culminated in a proposed vote of no confidence in some of the top table. That vote of confidence did not take place.

Sympathy

It is difficult not to feel for Charlie Mulgrew and Declan Bonner as this saga drags to a close. They were interviewed for the job, and told they were being appointed not knowing that Doherty had already got the job offer.

They agreed to take the position but were not ratified at county board level so they have every reason to feel let down by the events of recent months. However Mulgrew and Bonner are both young men who have a lot to offer in footballing terms and I have no doubt that when the disappointment of recent weeks abates they will continue to play a role for their clubs and indeed in the future for their county.

With Donegal getting a very favourable draw in next years Ulster championship John Joe Doherty has a great opportunity to lead Donegal to an Ulster final in his first year at the helm. It is now time to focus on the future and it is to be hoped that all Donegal genuine football people get behind the manager in his efforts to bring some silverware back to the county.

Good News

It was good to see two Donegal men get well deserved rewards at the Ulster G A A writers Banquet. Tom Daly the President of the Ulster council is doing a superb job in that role and his professionalism and availability make him a most deserving award winner. Jimmy White won the referees award and Jimmy had an excellent year in his role of “man in the middle” and I have no doubt but he will be awarded the distinction of taking charge of a senior All Ireland final in the not too distant future.

St Eunan’s had a fine win in the Ulster Club against Clonoe on Sunday, and they have the ability to make a real impact in the competition this year. Beating a Tyrone side is no mean achievement and they could well be pitted against Crossmaglen in the next round. That will be a stern test but Cross are not the force they were at this level a few years ago and if the Armagh side beat the Fermanagh champions then it will set up a potentially great game in the next round.