Kevin Cassidy-remember him?

LilNiall

He must be gutted not to be part of this Donegal juggernaught!

He was the standout player for alot of the grim years of Donegal football, was coaxed out of retirement last year by McGuiness to earn an All Star (& the winning score v Kildare which I dont think has been matched for excitement this year) but due to involvement in a book on Northern Football has been frozen out & as far as I know in Boston.

Big loss for Donegal this scenario & Cassidy must be well sickened to be missing out.

theoneeyedman

LilNiall wrote: »

He must be gutted not to be part of this Donegal juggernaught!

He was the standout player for alot of the grim years of Donegal football, was coaxed out of retirement last year by McGuiness to earn an All Star (& the winning score v Kildare which I dont think has been matched for excitement this year) but due to involvement in a book on Northern Football has been frozen out & as far as I know in Boston.

Big loss for Donegal this scenario & Cassidy must be well sickened to be missing out.

If Mayo win the final, this will be a huge rod to beat McGuinness with.

corny

theoneeyedman wrote: »

If Mayo win the final, this will be a huge rod to beat McGuinness with.

Will it?

LilNiall

theoneeyedman wrote: »

If Mayo win the final, this will be a huge rod to beat McGuinness with.

Not at this stage I don't think.

After the semi finals most I mentioned this too had forgotten Cassidy. Pretty amazing a player of his calibre can be left out & forgotten. Had they flopped in Ulster though I think there would have been questions & he could have been recalled.

UnitedIrishman

theoneeyedman wrote: »

If Mayo win the final, this will be a huge rod to beat McGuinness with.

Doubt that. The players that have stepped in in his place have done brilliantly so far. Much like Mortimer, I don't think its the first thing Donegal fans will be for afterwards if they lose the game. Players come and go, it's all about the collective.

Clareman

There were always players that could/should have played with teams when they made the break through but because of a couple of things it doesn't work out.

harpsman

Feel sorry for Kevin-wonderful servant to Donegal and gaelic football.
Was fearless and a real leader. However he committed a mortal sin in Mcguinness' eyes and he had to go.
Think he was exploited by author. Im sure theres alot of regret there but he seems to be getting on with it.
Wont be forgotten by real supporters.

martyf84

harpsman wrote: »

Feel sorry for Kevin-wonderful servant to Donegal and gaelic football.
Was fearless and a real leader. However he committed a mortal sin in Mcguinness' eyes and he had to go.
Think he was exploited by author. Im sure theres alot of regret there but he seems to be getting on with it.
Wont be forgotten by real supporters.

Well said, a great servant for the county, a shame he's not a part of this year. Always gave a full-hearted performance for the county.

LilNiall

harpsman wrote: »

Feel sorry for Kevin-wonderful servant to Donegal and gaelic football.
Was fearless and a real leader. However he committed a mortal sin in Mcguinness' eyes and he had to go.
Think he was exploited by author. Im sure theres alot of regret there but he seems to be getting on with it.
Wont be forgotten by real supporters.

Exactly how I feel-gutted Cassidy not there this year. Pity McGuiness didnt pull him aside last year & question him on the book. All through the early months of the year I hoped the bridges would be built but sadly not.

He'll always have that point v Kildare though.

augustus gloop

could you expand as to what he did/said in the book? i dont know the story?

Brain Stroking

A great player and one i'm glad wont be facing Mayo in the final. Must be gutted though. If Donegal had Cassidy and Mayo had Pierce Hanly there would be no doubt in my opinion of either team's right to be in the final

theoneeyedman

LilNiall wrote: »

Not at this stage I don't think.

After the semi finals most I mentioned this too had forgotten Cassidy. Pretty amazing a player of his calibre can be left out & forgotten. Had they flopped in Ulster though I think there would have been questions & he could have been recalled.

I think it will to be honest. It may be a moot point but IMO Donegal improved this year, but in real terms IF they lose they will have no more silverware than last year, will (again) have been beaten by AI champions and the question will have to be asked why a player like Cassidy wasn't included. While the team is winning these questions will not be asked, but if the results turn the other way......

harpsman

theoneeyedman wrote: »

I think it will to be honest. It may be a moot point but IMO Donegal improved this year, but in real terms IF they lose they will have no more silverware than last year, will (again) have been beaten by AI champions and the question will have to be asked why a player like Cassidy wasn't included. While the team is winning these questions will not be asked, but if the results turn the other way......

I really dont think so.

wow sierra

http://http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#rii=17%3A3385927%3A1748%3A06%2D09%2D2012%3A&type=radio

Great interview with the man himself on Raidio na Gaeltachta this morning.

Hope I am representing it ok here, but the link is above anyway.

He basically praises McGuinness and all his great panel of players, for what they have achieved in such a short time and wishes them every sucess. Also says he and McGuinness talked things out and sorted everything out privately at Easter and that most of what they were quoted as saying wasn't true. He could have rejoined the panel then but he felt it would have drawn a media circus to Donegal again and also he had got used to spending time with his young family and would have found the huge time commitment difficult.

He says he has moved on and he enjoyed his time with Donegal but now it is over and there is no point in looking back or thinking "I wish I was playing". He is in a good headspace now and he is looking forward to getting fully up to standard for the county championship with Gaoth Dobhair. He's going to the final and looking forward to it.
Talked about his time in Boston, his job, his family etc.

Came accross very well - and all the better because it was in lovely Gaeilge. Maybe the people on Boards are the ones who need to move on - not Cassidy or McGuinness.

LilNiall

wow sierra wrote: »

http://http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#rii=17%3A3385927%3A1748%3A06%2D09%2D2012%3A&type=radio

Great interview with the man himself on Raidio na Gaeltachta this morning.

Hope I am representing it ok here, but the link is above anyway.

He basically praises McGuinness and all his great panel of players, for what they have achieved in such a short time and wishes them every sucess. Also says he and McGuinness talked things out and sorted everything out privately at Easter and that most of what they were quoted as saying wasn't true. He could have rejoined the panel then but he felt it would have drawn a media circus to Donegal again and also he had got used to spending time with his young family and would have found the huge time commitment difficult.

He says he has moved on and he enjoyed his time with Donegal but now it is over and there is no point in looking back or thinking "I wish I was playing". He is in a good headspace now and he is looking forward to getting fully up to standard for the county championship with Gaoth Dobhair. He's going to the final and looking forward to it.
Talked about his time in Boston, his job, his family etc.

Came accross very well - and all the better because it was in lovely Gaeilge. Maybe the people on Boards are the ones who need to move on - not Cassidy or McGuinness.

Excellent new to hear. Cassidy return next year perhaps? If not at least all parties are happy now.

ayeboy

If donegal lose by 20 points in the final it still will not even be an issue. Was a great player but must be sickened missing out on a final appearance and the hype that goes with it.