Posted online: Jul 21st, 2010

By Frank Craig
sports editor

Former Donegal star Damien Diver has planted his flag firmly in favour of Jim McGuinness as the search for the new county senior football manager finally takes shape.
The race to succeed John Joe Doherty was expected to be narrowed down to a two horse race yesterday morning (Tuesday), with former
Louth boss Paddy Carr teasing an interest.
However, when the midnight deadline of application elapsed – McGuinness was still the only candidate publicly declaring an interest.
Speaking at the weekend, McGuinness’ former Tir Chonaill teammate
Damien Diver expressed his fear that a second successive disappointment for the Naomh Conaill clubman might be too much to
stomach.
Having been supposedly sniggered out of the room two years ago when making a visual presentation, another denial could see the U21
boss explore alternative avenues at senior inter county level.
Diver said: “Jim has a vision of how Donegal football needs to develop.
He knows exactly what is required to get it back to where it belongs, as one of the top sides in the country.
“He is hugely passionate, and is a natural leader as he displayed as a player. He’s showed that playing for Donegal, coaching Glenties to championship success and last year’s feats with the county U21s.
“I believe he is the future of Donegal football. Managing county teams
in the modern era is not just about two nights training and a game at
the weekend anymore. It’s serious business. Team building, development and bonding within the panel, weights training and psychology have all become the norm, and are a huge part of today’s game.
“Most counties have to pay all these specialist training gurus to get the best out of their team. But we are actually blessed in Donegal that we have a man who has the full package.”
Diver prided himself on meticulous attention to detail during his playing career at the top level. Back then the responsibility and onus rested
firmly with the player. The Ardara man insists that Donegal are at a huge advantage now, in so far as McGuinness possesses all the traits needed for Donegal to once again scale the dizzy heights so desired on the terraces.
“Jim has all qualifications at hand to propel Donegal to the level of the Tyrones, Armaghs and Kerrys of this world. Drive, determination, discipline, focus and planning; these are words you usually associate with top players.
“But when you think about it – why do they possess those traits? It’s because most top managers already have those characteristics and they instill them in their side by presence, passion and power. You
can’t bottle that and Jim has all those in spades.
“Take the U21 campaign for an example. I gained a good insight through the three Ardara lads in the squad. They explained how not one second was wasted. He pushed those lads to a level they never knew they were capable of reaching – all this in just a few months.
“When they met up at weekends every second of every day was mapped out and specifically designed to improve some aspect of their game. From analysis of performance to game plan and tactics. He
left absolutely no stone unturned.
“Look at the results. Armagh by three points, Derry by four, Cavan by seven and Tipperary by eight points. What would they have done to Dublin if they didn’t have seven from the starting fifteen on antibiotics
from illness.
“Even with that problem, they were a kick of the ball away from beating the Dubs; all this without being able to play anywhere near their potential. The mental courage displayed by the players that afternoon was amazing, even in defeat.
“They worked on tactics and had a game plan for each match. He brings all of his qualifications like sports science, psychology and a whole new and exciting approach to the game.”
Diver, who had his fair share of disappointments in a Donegal jersey now hopes that clubs within the county make the ‘right decision’, as he feels that given the current plight of the senior football side – any alternative might see Donegal slip off the radar completely.
He added: “He gives players what they crave deep down, but don’t always get. That’s a complete professionalism, where they have the best possible chance to achieve success. He brings discipline and
commands huge respect. But it’s a two-way thing and he gives all that back in return to the players. They feed off that and welcome the hard work and sacrifices as it will eventually bring success.
“He was directly responsible for putting an Ulster U21 medal in a lot of boys’ back pocket last year and I’m convinced he can do the same for the senior side. For me, Donegal are a sleeping giant and we can’t afford to let more time slip by for the players on the senior panel.
“The time is now. Donegal needs to change its mentality and its tradition of not winning. New hungry blood is needed to do that. And if we don’t snap Jim up now, plenty of others will.”