Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has said it will be a major challenge for Donegal to knock Dublin off their perch following Dublin’s second All-Ireland win in just three years.
Jim McGuinness is staying on to win matches in 2014.
It’s not just the quality of players and strength in depth Dublin have at their disposal that worries McGuinness.
It is the financial clout Dublin possess that enables them to employ top professionals in the field of nutrition, strength and conditioning, psychology and so on that makes Dublin resemble almost that of a full-time professional outfit as oppose to an amateur county team.
McGuinness told the Irish Daily star, ” I’ve heard that not only do they get a meal after training, but they’re given all their other meals to take home to make sure their nutrition is right.
“Everything is top notch. Facilities, medical back-up, nutrition strength and conditioning. You can’t knock that because everyone should be at that level.
“I know it’s not realistic in terms of finances but we try to be as professional as possible. There are a lot of good people involved in the Donegal set-up on a voluntary capacity, for example the doctors don’t take any money or expenses.
“I think Joe Brolly made the point last year that Leitrim got €25,000 in sponsorship and Dublin got €1m. So it’s obvious there is a massive gap between counties and that’s why closing the gap on Dublin will be so difficult.
McGuinness dismissed proposals that a cap be put on what county teams spend during the year in an attempt to level the playing field.
“I don’t think that would work, it takes a lot of money to run a county team and these are tough economic times, it’s up to other counties to do the best they can with the resources they have.
“We try and keep the costs down as much as possible but still run a professional set-up.
It is expected in the next few days that McGuinness will name his backroom staff for the 2014 season following the departures of assistant manager Rory Gallagher, video analyst Maxi Curran and Francie Friel.