Shanahan would love medal like ours, says Donegal ace

DONEGAL star David Walsh says Dan Shanahan is not giving the county’s footballers the credit they deserve after the Waterford hurling selector was insulted by comparisons with the 2012 All-Ireland champions. Waterford’s Allianz HL triumph saw several pundits liken their defensive gameplan to the one employed by Jim McGuinness when Donegal won the All-Ireland three years ago — a comparison which infuriated Shanahan. ‘Some people say we’re gone like Donegal, but that’s total and absolute bulls**t,’ blasted Shanahan, who finished his 12-year inter-county career without winning a Celtic Cross. But utility man Walsh has responded by saying that, for all the criticism of Donegal’s 2012 triumph, the players are proud of their achievement, adding that Waterford legend Shanahan would love to have an All-Ireland medal of his own. ‘It doesn’t surprise me in a way that people don’t give Donegal the credit for what they have achieved,’ said Walsh. ‘Still, any player would like to win an All-Ireland and I’m sure Dan Shanahan would have loved to have won one with Waterford as well.’ The veteran Naomh Brid clubman has not featured for Donegal this season as he has been hampered by a hip and toe injury, but is available to play a part in Sunday’s opening round Ulster clash against Tyrone at Ballybofey. Walsh admitted his decision to come back for another season was motivated by Rory Gallagher’s decision to take on the team. ‘Rory getting the job was a turning point in a lot of the older lads staying on,’ said Walsh. ‘We need to push on and help Rory for the rest of the summer.’