Ex-Donegal chief McIver blasts media

EX-DONEGAL manager, Brian McIver has launched a parting shot at media which he claims has stereotyped footballers in the county.

“We had a few disciplinary issues over the two years, no different to any other county squad. I really get annoyed with various pundits when they refer to the stereotype of Donegal footballers,” said the retired schoolteacher.

“The Donegal footballers have been fantastic, I have nothing but admiration for them, they’re top class. They were always on the field for training at 6.30pm as I requested and I wish them the very best of luck for the future.

“They have great potential and I hope they can unearth a forward who regularly sticks over six or seven points a game. Their defence and midfield is as good as there is in the country,” McIver said.

The manager took firm disciplinary action before last year’s division two league final when he suspended Eamon McGee and Kevin Cassidy from the panel for socialising after a semi-final win over Westmeath.

Reflecting on the eight-point defeat at the hands of Monaghan, the Ardboe native is still adamant his side should have won.

“Whenever we drew level after half-time, we should have gone on and won. As I looked at the game, I thought I’m going to find it very hard to give 100% starting off again next November,” declared the former boss.

However, McIver said he’s enjoyed his experience in Donegal. “I leave with no sour grapes, I have been very pleased with the players, the backroom team, the county board and the support.”

Regarding his own future, McIver said the Donegal inter-county job will be his first and last. “I told the players I wouldn’t be going to any other county and that’s the case,” he said.

The manager’s departure is also likely to spell the end of the inter-county careers of a number of Donegal’s older players — Niall McCready, Adrian Sweeney, Brendan Devenney, Paddy Campbell and Brian Roper may consider their futures after long years of sterling service.

All attention now turns to who might succeed him with former county U-21 manager, Donal Reid having declared his interest. Other names mentioned include those of Charlie Mulgrew, Declan Bonner and current U-21 manager, Sean Clerkin.

Reid said he felt the time was now right for him to move into county management. His name had been linked with the job on the last two occasions following the departure of Mickey Moran and Brian McEniff.

However he ruled himself out due to family and work commitments on both occasions.

“I feel I have enough experience gathered over the last few years at club level to make the step up to senior inter-county management. And I am really looking forward to the challenge.”

Reid has been managing club teams in Tyrone and Donegal over the past decade and he also guided Donegal to their last Ulster U-21 title back in 1995. He is a former manager of Aghyaran and Clann na Gael in Tyrone as well as Sean MacCumhaills and Robert Emmetts in his native Donegal.

Meanwhile, former Cavan manager Martin McHugh has ruled himself out of the running.

“I am not interested in the job and I don’t want my name linked with it,” he said.