Colm McFadden and Neil McGee can carry sideline load if needed 

The hope is it won’t come to it but if Jim McGuinness does have to rely on Colm McFadden and Neil McGee on the sideline for the next eight weeks, he has full confidence in their ability to guide Donegal. 

The Donegal boss has been hit with a two-month ban by Ulster GAA for fielding 17-year-old Finbarr Roarty in a McKenna Cup game against Armagh last week.

The Naomh Conaill player turned 18 the very next day but according to the rulebook he is ineligible to play inter-county because a player must be 18 by January 1 of that particular year.

Donegal GAA met on Monday evening and their management committee are now appealing the severity of that sanction. 

Speaking recently on the influence of McFadden and McGee, as well as that of Luke Barrett, McGuinness was more than content with the backroom team he’s assembled for 2024. 

“They know the players and have even shared a dressing room as a teammate with many of them. Luke Barrett also, he’s managed and coached at minor level and has set his own high standards there. 

“And Luke has a relationship with the younger lads in the panel and those on the periphery of it. They understand the dynamic of the modern game, they aren’t that far removed from being involved at this level. 

“And that’s very important in terms of having conversations around structures, tactics and positioning of certain players”. 

Speaking on the same topic, captain Patrick McBrearty feels that trio tick the all right boxes needed to have an influence at this level. 

“Neil has been fantastic, he’s really taken to that role,” said McBrearty. “When you have the credit in the bank that he has as a player, in terms of respect alone, it’s been seamless enough for him. The competitive element in Neil, that’s what lads will see and get. 

“Colm, I played with Colm up front and that was an education. He’s back involved with Donegal so Jim has both bases covered in that sense, defence and attack. 

“As well as training, he’s more than willing to hang back after and go through things. 

“Luke Barrett also, I know Luke well and he’s had a brilliant start to his coaching career. He’s the same age as myself, we played county underage together. His analysis is excellent. And he’s having a real impact”.