Walsh: No fear of McGuinness leaving

Donegal defender Declan Walsh claims there’s no chance All-Ireland-winning manager Jim McGuinness would quit the county to take up a better job offer.

Fears are apparently growing in the North-West that McGuinness’s spectacular success with his native county will convince a rival code to offer him full-time employment.

Celtic soccer manager Neil Lennon has already heaped praise on McGuinness, a trained sports psychologist, while the Glenties man himself has worked with soccer teams, golfers and athletes in the past. But Walsh, who started this year’s championship in the half-back line for Donegal, doesn’t believe the boss would seriously consider leaving.

“If you know Jim and the passion he has for football, and Donegal football in particular, you can’t really see that happening,” claimed Walsh. “It’s just the drive he has for Donegal football, it’s unbelievable. He really inspires that whole team.”

Walsh elaborated on the unique gift that McGuinness possesses as a manager and which he has used to turn the team’s fortunes around in the last two seasons.

“It’s just that passion, that absolute hunger, it’s hard to really put it into words to be honest,” continued the Malin clubman. “He seems to get the very best out of all the players. He’s developed a real bond in the team.

“Like, from Paddy McBrearty, who’s 18, to the oldest lad on the squad, anyone can sit beside anyone on the team bus or have the craic together. There’s no divisions there at all.”

McGuinness’s task in the coming months will be to invest his team with renewed hunger levels to defend their All-Ireland title. Dublin found that an impossible goal this year and failed to retain the same drive and spark that marked out their 2011 season, though Walsh is optimistic Donegal can step it up again.

“Knowing Jim, that hunger is definitely going to be there. And I know myself that the lads, once they’ve got a taste of success, they’re going to want it again next year.”