Posted online: Nov 14th, 2008

By Frank Craig
frank@donegalpost.com

New Donegal boss John Joe Doherty finally got down to business over the weekend and is already making provisions for the new season.

Having attended Saturday night’s league semi final play-off between Ardara and Naomh Conaill in MaCumhaill Park, both Doherty and Tommy Ryan also took in Sunday’s double header in Convoy.

“Myself and Tommy went out over the weekend and it was good to see a bit of action, though it has to be said it’s a hard time of year to be playing football,” Doherty told the Donegal Post.

Already boosted by the news that Ciarán Bonner has made himself available for the new campaign, and with the exception of Karl Lacey, Doherty expects to deal from a full deck come January.

“There are a few lads that have a couple of injuries that need a little time to heel, and that’s what we’re looking at long term. I know Karl Lacey is going to Australia, and I’d be hoping he’d be back sooner rather than later.”

Doherty also revealed his intent to resurrect the old regional super league in his attempts to uncover fresh faces, but that this system would only work under the full cooperation of all parties.

“We’re looking in to it, but we’d rather do it properly instead of just running it off for the sake of public relations. It’s something that we’re putting a lot of thought in to, but when ever we do it, it would have to be done properly.

“I’ve always thought it was a good idea anyways, regardless of who’s in charge. That super league that was in place when we came up through the underage ranks was always competitive. It also lets you see players playing at a higher standard than maybe club football presents.

“Even down in the lower Divisions there’s always one or two that you think may be capable of more, if given the opportunity to play with better players. The secret is though to identify those lads early in the day, as if they go on in years playing at that level- that potential is lost.”

The former All Star also played down the significance of Gaoth Dobhair’s relegation on Sunday in relation to the competitiveness of Division 1B for a number of his panel next season.
“To be honest I’m not that concerned, from a Gaoth Dobhair point of view I’m sure they’re very disappointed, but I think Division 1B is every bit as competitive as Division 1A, so I wouldn’t envisage too many problems there.”

With his backroom team now complete and already taking an active part in preparations for next season, Doherty is pleased with initial liaisons between all parties, but insisted that the ultimate responsibility lied with the players ahead of a ‘favourable’ Ulster Championship draw.

“Myself, Tommy and Tony know each other well, and I’ve been very impressed with Michael McGeehin, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting the best out of the players, and if we do that we won’t be too far away.”

“We can’t over look the fact that we are in the easier side of the draw. We would never take anybody for granted but the top four teams that would also be looking at Ulster are in the other half. So we’re in there with a great chance.”

Though this weekend Doherty must contend with the dilemma of managing his adopted homeland Naomh Mhuire against his own club Naomh Columba, a game with significant consequences for both sides in the hunt for promotion to Division 1B.

”I thought this was all behind me a few weeks ago when we beat MacCumhaills, and it left it in Glen’s own hand to get promoted! But they had another bad result last week, though at the end of the day it’s the men that’s playing that’s going to decide, not the men on the line.”