Jim McGuinness is seen here at Dublin airport checking in the most precious cargo of all – the Sam Maguire.
The rest of the All Stars from 2012 and 2011 – including Kevin Cassidy – go on a different flight later today, Wednesday.
The Donegal players are going a day earlier and coming back a day later so they can visit Donegal supporters around the north east of the USA, culminating in a 25th birthday bash for Donegal Boston GFC this Sunday,
And Donegal manager Jim McGuinness goes with yet another ringing endorsement of his new consultancy job at Glasgow Celtic – this time from the President of the GAA.
“I’m pleased for Jim McGuinness and I wish him well,” said Liam O’Neill.
“I hope he’s very very successful in whatever he does in life and he continues to contribute to our games as well.”
Meanwhile Donegal goalie Paul Durcan says the team are behind Jim’s new Celtic role.
“I don’t see it in any way being a disadvantage. For Jim it’s a job and I think he is smart enough to differentiate between Donegal and Celtic,” he said.
“It can only be an advantage to bring that professionalism in. Celtic obviously just didn’t go with Jim for just the Donegal reason. They obviously saw something in him and I think that’s only to our advantage.
“It will be interesting. Seeing what take the soccer lads have on it as well. I can see the training changing a bit which won’t be any harm.”
Paul said No2 Rory Gallagher is capable of having a more prominent role for Donegal – and laughed off suggestions (made by the Dublin media of course) – that a commute to Glasgow would be draining for McGuinness.
“There’s plenty of people in the country commuting to England. You can be in Glasgow as quick as you can be in Dublin. I think Jim will be well able for it and will have a programme set out.
“Jim has got a good man with him. Rory for me was one of the most important people in the dressing-room this year. He gained a lot of respect from the boys in Donegal.
“He was an exceptional footballer, has an exceptional football brain and will probably come more to the fore now.”
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