Donegal look to build privacy fence around training pitch

PRIVACY MATTERS: Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during the Donegal County Senior Club Football Championship final between Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Donegal supporters in London are being asked to raise money for a number of additions to the county’s training centre in Convoy including a new fence “to give privacy”.

The €55,000 embellishment around the perimeter of the training pitch is aimed at keeping prying eyes away from sessions.

Confidentiality was a non-negotiable for Jim McGuinness during his previous term in charge and the fence has been listed as a top priority at the team’s base in the east of the county, just 16 kilometres from Strabane in Tyrone.

From 2011 to ‘14, the Glenties man went to great lengths to prevent those outside the camp from viewing training sessions in the likes of Ballybofey’s MacCumhaill Park.

Prior to the 2014 All-Ireland final against Kerry, a man known to McGuinness was discovered in a tree watching The Kingdom’s behind-closed-doors training session in Fitzgerald Stadium. There were also claims Donegal were being watched at the time.

New gym equipment in Convoy costing approximately €46,000 has also been earmarked for purchasing by Donegal’s exiles in London as well as a nutritionist whose consultancy is costed at €15,000.

“Team Donegal London” are seeking donations of £5,000 and £2,500, the larger contribution guaranteeing the sponsor the opportunity to purchase four Ulster and All-Ireland final tickets should Donegal reach the deciders.

A number of donors have already committed the monies with some bigger contributions having also been made.

Prospective sponsors have been told that their financial backing will go directly to the fencing, gym equipment and nutritionist. McGuinness spoke to a group of Donegal exiles in London in early October and is expected to do so again before the end of the county’s Allianz Division 2 campaign next year.

In 2019, "Team Donegal London" raised £75,000 for the €7.8 million facility in Convoy, which was officially opened last year but has been the county’s training venue since 2013.

It is stated that the latest fundraising drive is done with the full knowledge of the Donegal County Board.