GAELIC GAMES:Kevin Cassidy to release statement on his surprise axing from Donegal panel, reports GAVIN CUMMISKEY

AFTER THE glorious season they just experienced, the expectation was Donegal football could creep into winter unnoticed. But that is so rarely the case.

The county board yesterday gave their full support to manager Jim McGuinness. They firmly indicated, while refusing to make any public comment, that the dismissal of veteran defender Kevin Cassidy from the panel is an issue between management and the player.

No investigation will follow from executive level: McGuinness was ratified for four years and after capturing the Division Two National League title and Ulster championship in year one, his position is deemed utterly secure.

Cassidy will release a statement in today’s edition of Gaelic Life – a weekly GAA newspaper. The two-time All Star, most recently recognised last month, was dropped last Tuesday for his contribution to the recently released book This Is Our Year, written by Fermanagh journalist Declan Bogue.

The book is a collection of behind-the-scene stories from Ulster football panels. Ryan McMenamin (Tyrone), Steven McDonnell (Armagh), Barry Owens (Fermanagh), Aidan Carr (Down), Paddy Cunningham (Antrim), Micky Conlon (Derry) and Cavan’s joint-managers Val Andrews and Terry Hyland also contributed. Bogue is also the editor of Gaelic Life and was also unwilling to comment yesterday, only to note a statement from Cassidy was imminent.

McGuinness has just overseen the most successful campaign for Donegal since they won the All-Ireland in 1992. They beat Laois in the Division Two final at Croke Park before capturing the Anglo-Celt Cup after beating Antrim, Cavan, Tyrone and Derry en route.

The criticism of his heavily-defensive tactics saw the 39-year-old become increasingly belligerent during his media contact throughout the summer. Team announcements were rarely accurate while not even the Croke Park announcer was given a starting 15 ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final.

To reach that stage Donegal overcame Kildare, after extra-time, thanks to a superb long-range point from Cassidy. They were beaten by Dublin, 0-8 to 0-6, in the penultimate championship game.

Cassidy initially appeared to have been dismissed for revealing details about the internal workings of the panel and training methods. These included revelations such as the game plan for the Dublin match remained a secret, even to the players, until three hours before throw-in and McGuinness confiscated everyone’s mobile phones to ensure no leaks.

Both men were uncontactable yesterday but it is believed McGuinness’s main gripe was a senior player revealed insider information to a journalist throughout the season without seeking permission.

Cassidy’s comments were mostly complimentary of McGuinness and his management style, although he did admit to seeking a red card for Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly in the All-Ireland semi-final. Something, he said, he would not have previously sought to do.

The pair previously had a good relationship, with McGuinness convincing Cassidy to return to the fold having retired from intercounty football after the 2010 championship defeat to Armagh.

At last Saturday’s book launch, which McGuinness forbade other panel members from attending, the Gaoth Dobhair wing back defended his comments about the previous management of John Joe Doherty and Tony Boyle:

“I’m not trying to get at anybody. I spoke to John Joe and Tony. When we discussed it I assured them I did not set out to hurt anyone or be negative. What was in the book was how I felt at the time and that was it. I decided (the participation in the book) was going to be honest and how I saw things and felt there was no point leaving things out to be nice to this person and that.”

There is a long list of acts of perceived indiscipline relating to the Donegal footballers in recent times. Cassidy didn’t feature in the 2006 championship, instead going to Boston for the summer after being punished for going drinking with Eamon Magee after a league semi-final. He subsequently returned and was named captain in 2008.

That mantle was passed over to 21-year-old Michael Murphy in 2011. Murphy was captain when McGuinness guided the under-21s to the All-Ireland final last year.

The new senior manager immediately reacted to the first sign of indiscipline last May by removing Adrian Hanlon from the panel after an incident in the wake of the Antrim victory. “We have dealt with the matter internally and we’re happy enough that it has been dealt with internally,” said McGuinness, laying down a clear marker.

This week’s action was another.