The other beautiful game has been a huge influence on Donegal GAA
We looked ahead and tried to figure out who would be the Irish sporting stars of the 2020s.READ MORE: Jim McGuinness had an aura as a soccer coach - says former QPR defenderGavin Bazunu made the cut - he has since cemented a spot as Ireland's number one goalkeeper.
What was remarkable about that feat was that it wasn't remarkable. Doherty shot the lights out for all sorts of teams - club, school and different levels with Donegal. Much has been made of Donegal manager Jim McGuinness's 10 year immersion in soccer coaching, but the influence of the beautiful game goes much deeper in the county.
Rewind a decade to the first McGuinness era, and a flurry of excitement during the half-time break of a Donegal Junior A Championship clash between Na Rossa and Naomh Padraig.But what set pulses racing was that they were trying to fire the ball past Shay Given in goal.There is no county on the western seaboard so much in thrall to soccer as Donegal.Before Mikey Johnston made his debut under Stephen Kenny, seven Scots-born players had played international football for Ireland.
But how many know that Bonner agreed a two-year deal to join Celtic in the early 1980s? His plans were dashed when manager Billy MacNeill moved to Manchester City.“The GAA traditionalists would frown on you for saying it but it definitely does,’’ he said.“I played a lot of soccer up until 19, 20 and it definitely benefited me in Gaelic football."
Finn Harps Jim Mcguinness Seamus Coleman
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