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Jim becomes Jimmy as Joe Brolly changes his tune on McGuinness

Kevin McStay’s memorable column; close Munster hurling; Mayo still the butt of jokes

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho

Paul Fitzpatrick
Mon May 6 2024 - 06:00

It seems Jim McGuinness has changed his ways – at least in the opinion of columnist Joe Brolly.

Back in 2015, Brolly painted a grim picture, writing: “Jim’s guiding principle is control. He dominated nearly every aspect of his players’ lives ...”

Brolly went on to mention a “typed behavioural contract” which each Donegal player had to sign when the squad met for the first time in 2011.

“It was the beginning of a dictatorial masterclass ... An atmosphere of paranoia surrounded the squad.”

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Fast forward nine years and all has changed. Jim has become Jimmy and his players, once dominated and paranoid, are lucky to be under his watch!

“I feel jealous of Jimmy’s players,” Brolly wrote yesterday.

“Jealous of the great adventure they are on. Jealous that they have such an inspiring, clever and committed leader. Jealous of the life lessons they are learning ... Their [the management’s] integrity. Their absolute loyalty and togetherness. A journey whose purpose is the only important one: the good of the people of Donegal.”

Kevin McStay’s memorable column in 1999

Former Sligo footballer Neil Ewing’s article at the weekend (“The bandwagoner is why Mayo are in football purgatory”) reminded us of a column penned by Kevin McStay in the Mayo News after the 1999 Connacht semi-final against Roscommon.

“Last Sunday was dull to overcast – the sort of day the Wild West might pick for a hanging!” McStay wrote. “Mayo fans were muted, expecting the worst. Roscommon travelled in their thousands – expectant.

“I did my best last week to rally the troops but the followers were not convinced. If I hear those same absentees are now talking up a storm about booking hotels in Dublin, then we will have a hanging.”

The 1999 team was honoured at half-time on Sunday along with the 1996 and 1997 sides who missed out due to pandemic restrictions.

Quote

James Owens ran across in front of Barry Hogan as Bennett takes the Waterford penalty

Like what the actual f*#k

– Eddie Brennan (@NedzerB13) on Twitter/X

It is hard to beat Munster hurling for entertainment

If it’s close hurling matches you’re after, the stats suggest it’s hard to beat the Munster SHC. Since 2022, there have been 27 matches played – 15 of those (55.5 per cent) were decided by three points or less, with four draws and another game, the 2022 final, going to extra time.

In the Leinster SHC, there have been 39 matches played in the same time frame. Of those, 15 have been decided by three points or less (38.5 per cent) including seven draws but on the flip side, 33.3 per cent of all games (15 ties) have produced a margin of 15 points or more.

Just one game in Munster – Limerick v Tipperary last week – has been decided by 15 or more in the same period.

Mayo still the butt of jokes

Mayo, despite a record most counties would kill for, always seem to be the butt of the jokes.

RTÉ Sport’s Clare McNamara was the latest to dredge up some bad memories when conducting a post-match interview with Lacken native Caelan Doris following Leinster’s win over Northampton at Croke Park.

“You must have enjoyed your big day out, on the northside, a Mayo man winning in Croke Park, not a bad day,” asked the reporter. Ouch!

Number – 13

The points handicap on offer on Kerry against Clare on Sunday.

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