The first time I recall seeing Jim McGuinness – the Donegal incarnation of same as distinct from our ‘Boots’ – was when he was centre forward on a star-laden I.T. Tralee ensemble which also included Meath’s Mark O’Reilly and a trio of Galway luminaries, Padraic Joyce and the Donnellan brothers, Michael and John. From memory, the Kerry educational institution went on a run of two or three Sigerson Cup triumphs on the spin at that time.
On at least one of the occasions against a U.C.D. team containing the Meath triumvirate of Trevor Giles, Mick O’Dowd and Conor O’Donoghue. Indeed, it has been a running joke between ‘Reiller’ and I that himself and Jim seemed to be down in Tralee for the best part of two decades!
At this point it will be admitted that I am unsure as to whether his appointment as Donegal U-21 manager was his first foray into such a role, but what is beyond any debate is the transformative effect the man from Glenties had on football in his native county and then eventually the game on broader scale. Quite simply because it was a case of ‘monkey see, monkey do’. The only notable factor about such being the case was that Pat Spillane was unable to wheel out the ‘Puke Football’ barb as nearly ever team in the country was at it.
‘It’ basically being a well put together mimickery of drift defence in rugby. Or to put it even more simply, swarming the player in possession and, ideally, locking over the ball until a turnover is executed. With the final element of the plan being that once the turnover is effected those in possession break upfield at pace.
There’s no doubt the methodology worked for those who were in a position to work with it. However, on mature recollection, it probably should be no surprise that it was Jim Gavin who eventually devised a route past the road block. With what was probably a fore runner to the Football Review Committee (FRC) revamp which has changed Gaelic football for the better.
Besides having his own vision on how the rudiments of the game are discharged, there’s no doubt Jimmy has his own menu with regard to how matters around his team in general are run. Anybody who had the temerity to question as such got their answer when Kevin Cassidy was (ridiculously) shafted by McGuinness for the egregious error of…making a contribution to Declan Bogue’s book in tribute to McGuinness and his team. It was without doubt a hideous over-reaction from the man who once resembled Our Lord. But the flip side of that argument is that with the results the Bainisteoir has delivered during his years in charge, few if anybody can complain about how he goes about his business.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot hardly currently has a similar comfort blanket. Yes, he guided the Anfield club to a league title in his first season in charge, but it is quite difficult to fathom how the arse has fallen out of their operation. Especially in view of the rambunctuous spend John W. Henry et al undertook in the summer.
Mind you, somewhat ironically, it is that very outlay which has allowed Slot to replace the ailing Mo Salah in his starting 11. Well, ailing might be a little bit harsh, but, at the very least the enigmatic forward is going through a crisis of confidence. All that being said, the Scouse boss can hardly be criticised for replacing Salah given his form at the minute. Not to mention the club’s outlay on forwards Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz and the continued flourishing of Hungarian dynamo Dominik Szoboslai.
What certainly wouldn’t have been foreseen was the coach’s declaration that he “Didn’t know” whether the reds’ No. 11 had played his last game for his team or not. Does that in itself not suggest that he has. That’s without even mentioning the fact that the usual obfuscation tool in these situation – the player training on his own – is already in play.
The Slot machine may need more coins, but gut feeling is that Arne may have already cashed his in. Regardless of the kerfuffle ongoing at Mellwood and its environs, chances are Salah’s time at the club is drawing to a close. The pity is his legacy will more than likely now be tarnished.
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