Former players join McGuinness management team
Jim McGuinness has turned to three former players - Damian Diver, John Duffy and Paul McGonigle - to fill the vacant positions in the Donegal senior football management team for 2014.
Official confirmation has come through from the Donegal County Board today that the trio will replace assistant manager Gallagher, video analyst Maxi Curran and kit man Francie Friel whose shock departures were announced last week.
Manager McGuinness, who guided the Tir Chonaill men to All-Ireland glory last year, has moved quickly to get his new backroom staff in place, and the word locally is that his former Donegal team-mate Diver will be the assistant manager.
The Ardara clubman was supportive of McGuinness' managerial candidacy when he took over the Donegal job in 2010 and although he denied recent speculation linking him with a spot in the county's new-look management team, Diver's appointment will be a popular one.
As a player he was held in very high regard by Donegal fans, making 36 Championship appearances and unfortunately losing four Ulster finals with them in 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006.
The durable defender's last appearance came as a substitute in the 2006 provincial final loss to Armagh, his retirement just preceding Donegal's Division 1 league success the following season.
Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon's John Duffy also suffered Ulster final woe as a Donegal player.
The talented forward made his Championship bow during the 1993 campaign and lined out in two losing Anglo Celt Cup deciders against Derry (1993 and 1998).
Meanwhile, Paul McGonigle, who is heavily involved with Inishowen club Buncrana, also played alongside McGuinness during his inter-county career.
'Big Jim' actually came on for McGonigle in Donegal's 2003 All-Ireland semi-final reversal to Armagh.
