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They dont want an outsider in

What are you basing that conclusion on?

Sorry what it should have said was they dont want an outsider in telling them how to run things.  I'd say from talking to people who know McIver was pretty forceful and straight-talking and they wouldnt have wanted that

But that's just your opinion right? And who are "They"?

Maloney of course. Canning does my head in.

It probably is a bit harsh, but let's look at out last eight championship games (this year and last year).

Armagh - we won by a point due to a lucky goal, but we played poorly for long stretches, and but for Armagh's now legendary inability to put teams away, would have lost.
Tyrone - I don't know if complacency set in after finally beating Armagh, but we were blown off the field, much as Dublin were a few weeks back.
Leitrim - we needed extra time to put a very average Leitrim side away, but at least we discovered Michael Murphy.
Westmeath - an easy win down in Mullingar, but Westmeath were very poor.
Monaghan - just threw in the towel after Freeman put Monaghan back in front early in the second half. We were lucky to be level in the first place. Shocking performance and a day when McIver's tactics/changes were questioned.
Derry - at no stage did the management attempt to deal with Paddy Bradley. This game was winnable.
Roscommon - horribly disjointed performance against one of the worst teams in the country could have ended in one of the most embarrassing results in our history. Ryan Bradley tracking back as a kind of sweeper?
Monaghan - no complaints here - we were unlucky and on another day McIver would have been celebrating a significant win.

I don't think anyone in Donegal is under any illusions regarding the talent we have available - some top class players like Lacey, Cassidy, Dunnion, Murphy, Kavanagh and (sometimes) McFadden. The rest average or new. However, the problem is that many people question whether McIver has been getting the best out of what is available. Irrelevant at this stage, but that is what has led to his downfall.

I think this is a fair summary. We've gone from being a top 8 team to a top 16-ish team (what ever about the positions , we've definitely gone back). However I think McIvors treatment has been disgraceful and the mob-rule that seems to have taken over at the meeting is embarrassing.

I see McEniff is getting a parting shot in ...

McEniff: Poor results cost McIver his job
03 September 2008


Former Donegal boss Brian McEniff believes the poor championship results Brian McIver achieved while manager of Donegal has played the biggest role in his downfall as Donegal manager.



The Tyrone native lost his only two Championship games this year to Derry and Monaghan, both in Ballybofey, and while he seemed content enough with the performances, McEniff suggested that that wasn't enough and was the reason why he received a vote of confidence from a significant number of clubs at Monday night's County Board meeting.

"You're judged on results and they were hoping to get an Ulster Championship this year - but it didn't come," said McEniff.

"He (McIver) has served the county well. He won us a National League last year and that was good enough - but what they were hoping for was an Ulster Championship victory this year and that wasn't to be. It's unfortunate.

"He seemed to be happy enough that they played well, but it wasn't good enough to win either of those matches in Ballybofey (against Derry and Monaghan) and that's what you're judged on."

Since he has stood down, McIver has been linked with the Derry job left vacant by Paddy Crozier last month, but has revealed that he has no desire to manage any other county despite his son, Michael, being a member on the Oak Leaf panel.

McIver insisted: "I have no desire to manage any other county. I have great time for the Donegal players and couldn't work against them.

"I am now really retired and with all my family connections, I will have plenty of time to support Tyrone, Derry, Fermanagh - it's a tough life being involved in Ulster football."

The literary references alluded to in the article are as rare as Hens Teeth in the modern literature of Ireland. How such a large and influential organisation can be so invisible to our writers, is a mystery deserving investigation. Even at the banal level of soaps, can you think of a character with any interest or connection to the GAA.

Very good point. Neve considered this before. Where is the Carrickstown GAA club?

What is Devenney supposed to have done?

His usual !

Don't think it's fair to bring Dev into it. What did he have to do with the meeting?

Indeed. Devenney was out of the panel for the entire season except the last month, so unless he did something at the meeting itself, I'm not sure what he has got to do with anything.

He's always an easy target.

What is Devenney supposed to have done?

His usual !

Don't think it's fair to bring Dev into it. What did he have to do with the meeting?

If McHugh doesn't want it then he doesn't want it. No point moaning about it.

PS: Loads of Donegal people pronounce Sean as Sean, as in Sean fhocal (sp)

Did Brian attend last night's meeting ? What was said by St. Eunan's and Gaoth Dobhair ?


Devenney again

He attended all right. After views were expressed there was a motion of no confidence raised and 2nd by Eunans and Gaoth Dobhair. AFAIK McIvor resigned at this point.

Statement from Brian McIver

Brian McIver
02 September 2008


I wish to thank the Management team and the backroom team that I worked with over the past three years. I found them very professional and most supportive, and, in particular I would like to thank Ryan Porter. He is a top class Trainer and Coach and I wish him and the members of management and Backroom team all the best for the future.

I would like to thank the Donegal County Board and members of Club Donegal for their support. I found County Treasurer Charlie Cannon and ex County Secretary Crona Regan excellent to work with and I had a very good working relationship with the two County Chairmen Sean Kelly and Charlie O'Donnell.

I would also like to thank the players that I have worked with during my time as manager. During the last season in particular they have shown great commitment and dedication and, I wish them the very best for the future.

In most counties if you had the support of the County Board and players you would feel you could achieve your goals. But obviously not in Donegal when two of the more senior clubs namely St. Eunans and Gaoth Dobhair who between them contribute a total of nine players to the county panel, feel they could not give their support, I felt I had no option but to resign.

I have enjoyed my three years with Donegal and while I will miss the challenge, I will not miss the travelling.
I have no desire to manage any other county. I have great time for the Donegal players and couldn't work against them.

I am now really retired and with all my family connections I will have plenty of time to support Tyrone, Derry, Fermanagh- it's a tough life been involved in Ulster football.

Finally to certain members of the media in Donegal, there is a lot I would like to say, but its not in my nature to snipe.

This is the only statement that I intend to release and, I would appreciate if this was adhered to.

Yours in Sport
Brian McIver.




From Hoganstand

I can't understand this TBH. It's the wrong time in the development cycle of the team to change manager. The new man would be best served by purging the team and building towards the future. But the current squad of players has at least one more year in them and should be given the chance. So we'll either have a manager unable to mould the team he wants or a group of players not getting the chance they deserve.
Not a chance of McHugh going for it and I'd say Mulgrew wasn't too impressed with the way he was treated at the start of the year.
Christ almighty its not easy supporting Donegal.

Then there was the Donegal Brazil nuts idea back in 2002 was it?

He presented each of the Mayo players with a Brazil nut in the changing rooms and told them to go out and play like Brazil.

Are you sure he didn't tell them to go out and play like Donegal? 

Just caught the tail end of On the Ball and they were talking about filling skips full of negative thoughts!! What was the Brazil nuts one? Don't remember that.

We could teach him a thing or two about partying anyways! haha!

That we could LOL

Jimmy White is doing the replay. Hopefully he will do a good job.