Shay keeping faith in McGuinness and Donegal

Shay Given was thrilled but, he insists, not at all surprised, that his native Donegal shocked Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday.

The Lifford-born Given had trained with the Donegal squad this summer and gained an acute insight into how motivated they are under the management of Jim McGuinness.

And now Ireland’s veteran goalkeeper sees no reason why they can’t take the final step and see off Kerry.

“Course they can win the All Ireland,” he said on his return to the Ireland squad for training at Malahide yesterday. “Sunday was a massive game for them. I just hope they don’t get too carried away with it now because obviously Dublin were 1/10, and no-one gave Donegal a prayer. The commitment to the cause up there is phenomenal. So it didn’t surprise me but I’m just delighted that they pulled it off.

“I was travelling back (to Dublin from England) when the second half was on but I was getting updates with different people texting me. It was great for the county and, as I said, hopefully they don’t get carried away because that was near enough a cup final for them. Jim and (goalkeeping coach) Pat Shovlin are good friends, we’ve built up a good relationship over the last couple of years.

“It was nice to train with them in the summer and to see the commitment and the work rate. Even the temperament. I was in a huddle with them and just to see the way Jim was getting them pepped up — I was wanting to start to swing for people, he had them pepped up that much! So you can only imagine what Sunday was like in the changing room before the game and at half-time. He’s a sports psychologist, a great manager, a fantastic guy as well, and we’re lucky Donegal have him.”

Given briefly pondered the proposition that, following Donegal’s example, Ireland might now shock red-hot favourites Germany in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. “Yeah, it’s an easy three points that,” he quipped.

Maybe McGuinness should give the team talk? “Yeah, we’ll get him in,” said Given to laughter.