No crisis in Donegal, says defiant manager

JIM McGUINNESS insisted yesterday that the morale of his team had not been ‘dented’ by the shock departure of Mark McHugh.

Addressing the national media for the first time since McHugh quit the panel at the end of last month, the Donegal manager claimed he had drawn a line under the affair and that he did not want it to be a distraction in the run-up to their Ulster Championship opener with Derry on May 25.

The departure of McHugh (below), along with panellists, Anton McFadden, Gary McFadden and Thomas McKinley, had led to intense speculation that the 2012 AllIreland champions were in crisis ahead of the summer, but McGuinness said there was no basis for what he said was ‘sensationalism’ coverage.

‘There is an element of sensationalism around Donegal,’ said McGuinness. ‘Three of the boys left because they were not making the 26. And it was the same when there changes in the backroom team. I suppose it is trying to sell papers to make a headline and I understand that but it does not happen in other counties the same way that it happens in Donegal,’ added McGuinness, who said his players were not affected by the controversy.

‘I am working with a group of players who are giving everything, who are very focused and, in my opinion, very humble and that is the kind of people I like working with. That bond has never ever been even dented, it is very powerful, it is very personal and very human,’ added McGuinness, who said that the door remained open to McHugh to return.

‘Absolutely, like every other player in the county, if they are interested in playing for Donegal, and the perception is that they are good enough, of course, why would we not look at that situation then?’ asked McGuinness.

Meanwhile, the Donegal manager is facing a midfield dilemma ahead of the Derry game, after he revealed that Neil Gallagher had ‘rolled’ over his ankle in training this week and was ‘in a race against time’ to be fit for the Derry game.

Rory Kavanagh, a regular in the Donegal midfield, is suspended and will miss the May 25 clash.