Posted online: Aug 4th, 2010

By Frank Craig
sports editor

New Donegal boss Jim McGuinness is determined to restore the damaged image of Donegal football – an image that he confesses he has found very hard to stomach.
Speaking at the weekend the Glenties man pulled no punches as he outlined exactly how far the side has slipped, and in how little regard the efforts of the county football team are held on a national level.
He said: “The truth is we’ve become the laughing stock of Gaelic football. All around the country, people are making a joke of us. But I take great pride in the county and always tried to play like I felt that way.
“I’m asking my group of players to commit to nothing else but this county for the next few years. Nothing less than 100 per cent will do me. Let everyone else talk, and there’s plenty of flak coming from home and around Ireland, but let us get on with the football side and see where it takes us.”
The manager insists that the slate has now been wiped clean and that everyone that merits consideration will be. Prior misdemeanours will be left to one side and no one will be discounted on reputation or hearsay.
And he intends to leave the sniping that has dogged the side’s attitude and commitment in the past firmly behind them.
He added: “I have to get on with some hard work and that starts now, so others can make up their minds about that. I just find it very hard as a Donegal person to see what’s being written and said and how critical people are of us.
“But my door is wide open; players not in this year’s squad have a chance and every single player in the county will be looked at over the next two months. I have a concept for the development of younger players and they are the future core of my squad, but I’ll not kill anyone’s inter-county career. A few lads there still have a lot to offer.
“But I’ll be asking our players to put everything else in their lives on hold. That’s the way it will be.”