DONEGAL ALLSTAR WINNER Kevin Cassidy believes his former manager Jim McGuinness made ‘a silly comment’ with the analogy he drew last week between Dublin’s Gaelic football dominance and Roman Abramovich entering the Premier League.
McGuinness outlined his concern over the advantages Dublin have at their disposal but Cassidy, who was controversially dropped from the Donegal panel at the end of 2011, reckons it has just provided Dublin with more motivation.
“To be honest I think it was a silly comment. He has given out to Mark McHugh and Eamon McGee in the past for making silly comments. I don’t know if it is pressure or if Jim is trying to direct stuff away or whatever but Dublin didn’t need any more ammunition because there is enough there already.
“I know some things can be taken out of context, and maybe that’s what happened, but there is no need for it. Dublin deserve credit they don’t deserve it to be said because of money.
“It’s not just this year or last year, Dublin have always been well looked after. I don’t think people were saying the same thing about Kerry when they won four or five All-Irelands. Obviously there is more money in the capital to look after the boys and more jobs.
“But I don’t think money has anything to do with it. It’s coaching. Even teachers from my own club who teach here in Dublin, the commitment is unbelievable. That’s where it is coming from. Dublin GAA; it’s the grassroots, that’s where it is coming from.”
Cassidy also outlined how proper preparations have still been put into his native county this season as Donegal spent five days last week in Johnstown House on a training camp.
“They have been in Portugal and Johnstown house this year. To be honest there is a lot of money in our county as well. Maybe for Jim to say that wasn’t right but I’m sure he realises that now.”
