Allianz Football League Division One, round one
Donegal v Dublin
(Saturday, Páirc Seán Mac Cumhaill, 7.30pm, live on TG4)
FORMER Donegal defender Damian Diver is expecting a strong challenge from Dublin in Ballbofey this evening despite the new look to Dessie Farrell’s side for 2025
With Brian Fenton and James McCarthy retired, Farrell fielded five debutants in last week’s opening win over Mayo at Croke Park, but they still managed to bag the two points against their old rivals
‘‘Dublin will be well geared for Saturday,’’ says Diver. “I expect a real battle, and sometimes young, hungry players can be really dangerous.Those players will be keen to prove a point or two and there are a lot of places up for grabs as well, so Dublin will be very tricky to get over. It will be a very exciting match.”
Donegal’s opener against Kerry was postponed last weekend so McGuinness’s side will be eager to hit the ground running and bag two points on home soil ahead of the re-fixture of that game in Killarney next Saturday.
Tonight will thus be Donegal’s first run-out under the new rules and Diver believes that physicality is even more important under the new rules.
“There are no more- short kickouts, so aerial dominance is really key and your one- to-one on breaking ball is also very important.
“Donegal are well served in this department with Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Ciaran Thompson and now Michael Murphy.
“It’s an exciting prospect and then you could have the prospect of Murphy, Oisin Gallen and Paddy McBrearty inside if that’s how McGuinness plays them.”
Diver is optimistic in general about the new rules but does not approve of the prospect of the keeper making the extra man in a 12v11 scenario, something that drew strong criticism from Derry boss Paddy Tally and his Cavan counterpart Raymond Galligan last weekend.
“A player should not be allowed to pass the ball to the keeper anywhere on the field. It does matter how hard you press and one kick to the goalie and it all breaks down.
“I have no problem with the keeper going where he likes as long as his own team is not allowed to pass to him. That one pass spoils games.”
Diver believes that dissent and downright bad manners from players and officials to referees had been a major sore in football in recent years and is pleased that it is something that has been tackled head on by ex- Dublin boss Jim Gavin and his FRC group. Under the new rules, any show of dissent is punishable by the ball being brought forward 50 metres.
“This is what our game has been crying out for years and we should have had it long ago,’’ says Diver.
“Management and players have been getting away with crazy levels of abuse towards referees. And having the captain or his nominee as the only players to question a referee should also cut out some of the guff players and managers give to referees.
“The level of abuse had reached epidemic proportions and apart from being just bad behaviour, it was also a crude attempt to hold up the play.
“I think it is a great rule and I also like the one where a player must either hand the ball to his opponent or immediately place the ball on the ground when a free is awarded against him or his team.
“Apart from the sickening levels of abuse, teams were using all sorts of delaying tactics, especially if they were ahead.
“These are really major changes, and they were badly needed. At least now there is a good punishment for dissent and it is great to see.”
Diver is expecting a huge crowd in Ballybofey and is hopeful it can spur the Tír Chonaill men on.
“You are at home, we have the new rules, Michael Murphy is back and the Dubs still bring a kind of mystique,’’ he says.
