STATEMENT OF INTENT

Kernan insists McGuinness is rallying the troops

- BY KARL O'KANE

AARON KERNAN reckons Jim McGuinness is rallying the entire county behind his Donegal side, to 'energise' the players and fans ahead of Saturday's eagerly-awaited All-Ireland quarter-final encounter with Monaghan at Croke Park.

Kernan elieves McGuinness' frustration with recent decisions around venues and fixtures is real, but the former Armagh star says the All-Ireland winning manager is harnessing it to mobilise the county.

Earlier this week, Donegal chiefs released a statement saying the decision to fix their quarter-final for Saturday, and not Sunday, was 'most regrettable and very disappointing'.

Donegal GAA had requested a Sunday fixture to give them seven days rest, instead of six following last weekend's Ballybofey preliminary quarter-final victory over Louth.

Instead, it was Galway who were fixed for Sunday, giving them seven days rest after their weekend victory over Down in Newry, following trips to Cavan and Derry in two of the previous three weekends.