Diver gets Donegal role

Former county defender Damien Diver has secured a place in new Donegal manager Jim McGuinness' backroom team.

Diver has been appointed as strength and conditioning coach for players in the south of the county, while he will also offer his expertise as a defensive coach.

The Ardara clubman played over 100 times for Donegal in an 11-year senior career, before retiring from top level football in 2006.

McGuinness said: "Damien will add character and integrity to the set-up and I am very happy to have him on board."

Speaking to the Donegal Democrat, he also expressed his hope that last year's Donegal captain Kevin Cassidy will decide against hanging up his boots.

Following Donegal's disappointing All-Ireland Championship exit at the hands of Armagh in June, the 28-year-old Cassidy intimated that he would retire.

Convincing the former All-Star to continue would be a big boost for McGuinness who explained: "I have spoken to Kevin on a number of occasions and I am hopeful that we will have him back on board.

"Kevin's wife is expecting twins and that will take up a lot of his time."