McShea’s Say: Petulance, egos and self-driven agendas still hindering Donegal GAA

I’ve always enjoyed my time and involvement in the GAA. I liked most of the people I met and admired quite a few of them. 

But for all its allure, GAA administration in Donegal seems to have become a vicious business and not for the faint-hearted. 

In many cases, administrators seem to be operating in the interests of the faithful followers while the real purpose seems to be the pursuit of power. 

The GAA in Donegal seems to be, at this time, a real contradiction. It’s honourable but hypocritical, honest but full of dissemblers, disinterested but driven by self-interest, forward looking but also caught in a sort of time warp.

Administration in Donegal - at this time - seems to be about epic struggles for power, driven by vanity and paranoia.

Many years ago, I was secretary of my own club Aodh Ruadh. And the officers at that time were all people who had the respect of all the club members. But they also all had the respect of the local community.

From the first day that I pulled on a county jersey as a minor, the officials were all highly respected as they carried themselves with real dignity and were very aware of treating people with the utmost respect. 

There are still several real quality people involved in the GAA affairs in this county and my hope is that at tonight’s convention more people will be elected with their only objective to see Donegal prosper both on and off the playing pitches. 

Last week, I acknowledged the most positive decision to see former Tánaiste Mary Coughlan appointed as our new county chairperson. 

This is a wonderful development and Mary will no doubt quickly observe the current issues in the county and deal with them. 

The other lady who has held the role of administrator for several years, Noreen Doherty, eats, and sleeps Donegal GAA and along with our new chairperson is a huge asset to the county. 

My concerns about Donegal were compounded after speaking to three people who observed the “carry on” that allegedly took place last Friday night on a county committee zoom meeting, when a number of people clearly let themselves down at a time when the discussion about the position of Development Officer was on the agenda. 

All three were simply astonished at the tone of what could graciously be called discussion but were stunned at the vicious and, at times, very personal comments that seemed to be the order of an evening, which brought no credit to our county and will linger for a long time.

Our retiring county chairman Fergus McGee seemed to be very disappointed with some of his fellow officers, and it was not a major surprise when he called a halt to his tenure after just one year in office. 

Fergus is a gentleman and a GAA man at heart and we in Donegal should be eternally grateful to him for, along with his committee, bringing Jim McGuinness back in to manage Donegal again. 

The fact that Fergus had got his man after only four weeks, was an indication of his ability and true love for his county. 

It was also a major concern to read Donegal Democrat editor Alan Foley’s article last week, when there was a suggestion that referee Mark Dorrian was allegedly asked by an official to alter his report relating to a St. Eunan’s player’s sending off in the 2022 county final. 

It is my sincere hope that the appointments of Mary Coughlan and Jim McGuinness will be the prelude to better times in Donegal GAA. 

The return of respect and dignity is something that was always a given in our county, and it is a great pity to see such fundamental aspects of life missing in some areas at this time.

In Sunday’s Independent, Joe Brolly mentioned that a Ballyshannon man had told him that Donegal, under Jim McGuinness, had 53 training sessions on the beach since his appointment as Donegal manager. 

I got two phone calls suggesting that I was speaking to Joe, and I was two years ago after that season’s All-Ireland final. 

Joe also suggested that the Ballyshannon man did not want to be identified. And if or when I ever discuss Donegal, I never attempt to deny my comments. 

I know one or two former Donegal players who are now domiciled in Mayo, maybe it was one of those guys who seems to have intimate knowledge of Jim’s training. 

However, if the boys did have that number of training sessions I would be delighted at such excellent preparation.

Well done Milford 

On Saturday evening, I met two Milford stalwarts, Aodh McCormack and Aidan Cannon. They were in Ballyshannon selling tickets for their club’s draw, which is taking place on the 30th of this month. 

Milford is a small club with a catchment area also drawing players from Rathmullan and Ramelton. 

This year, they celebrate their 40th anniversary having formed in 1983. In the last ten years, they have won the Junior championship in 2013, the Intermediate championship in 2017 and they reached the SFC quarter-final in 2019.

In 2021 the club, after a very successful draw, bought ten acres of land and they are now looking to develop the site. To their credit, they have their own full-time schools coach in the seven national schools in the area. 

And as a result, they have seen a major increase in the number of children playing on club teams. They hope that the draw will help them develop a new floodlit and all-weather astro pitch. 

Top prize in the draw is a new BMW car valued at €60,000 with many other top-class prizes. Milford are a great club and if you can manage to buy a ticket it will go a long way to help them achieve their great objective of having a home to be proud of as they continue their support of everything GAA.

Roscommon 

Donegal return to action when Roscommon come to play Jim McGuinness’ side in the new Fr Tierney Park pitch on Sunday. 

There will be great interest in the composition of Jim’s squad. Roscommon will be formidable opponents so a cracking encounter is in prospect as both sides will be battling to ensure a place on their county side for the upcoming NFL. 

There is a palpable buzz in Donegal since it was announced that Jim was coming back as manager while Roscommon were most impressive last year.

As well as the prospect of seeing a good game of football, your attendance at the weekend will be greatly appreciated by the North West Hospice, which will accrue some of the proceeds on for their most worthy efforts.