McGuinness: Teams should have breathing space to really go after a league final 

Jim McGuinness admits that the close proximity of the Allianz League finals to championship is an added headache for managers as he prepares Donegal for their huge Ulster opener with Derry. 

Donegal square off against Armagh in the Division 2 decider in a fortnight’s time while Derry, themselves on the brink of the Division 1 final, will more than likely face either Dublin or Kerry there. 

However, just three weeks later, Saturday, April 20, both McGuinness and Mickey Harte will send their teams out at Celtic Park in what is a hugely anticipated provincial opener. 

In between, Donegal will host Meath in Ballybofey this Saturday night in their final league outing. McGuinness will no doubt use the fixture to give his fringe players a runout. 

Pressed though on how seriously teams, in general, can take their respective league finals, he had this to say after their weekend win over Kildare. 

“We’ll look after ourselves. A little breathing space between then and the final would be brilliant. It’s tough to read and see people talking about do we want to be in a league final? That’s not where we need to be. 

“It’s not fair on sponsors either. If I’m a sponsor listening and reading that, it doesn’t serve them well either. But people need to be motivated to be there. 

“And the only way you get that is to know you have an opportunity to play the game and still have an opportunity to prepare your team for the championship. And it’s not the managers’ fault that clash is being put upon them.

“They have a decision to make then on what is best for their team. That’s what high-level sport is about - making the right decisions for your team. 

“It doesn’t help when that challenge is brought to your door. So I think they should find a week or two to give teams the opportunity to really go after a league final”.