Nope, it's not the breakdown of amateurism in the GAA but it is Jim McGuinness potentially whipping up a bit of a storm for his former charges.
McGuinness has a penned a memoir, Until Victory Always, that's set to be released next week and the early glimpses have given us at least one significant talking point. Donegal players raked in the cash from their 2014 All-Ireland semi-final victory over Dublin thanks to a trip to the bookies.
Going into the clash, Donegal were as big as 10/1 outsiders as everyone outside the north-west expected Dublin to comfortably sail through to the final. McGuinness' charges saw those kind of odds and according to their then manager, threw a euro on it.
Our boys had us backed to beat Dublin. We were available at 10/1. They had a few hundred euro on themselves. And we knew leaving the hotel that we were going to win.
A nice payday if you can get it. However, without meaning to be the spoil sports, it should be pointed out that that revelation won't go down too well with the GAA. Quite a lot has been made of betting among the Associations members and at the start of 2014, the GAA and GPA released their gambling guidelines.
While betting on your own side falls more into the 'frowned upon' category, the text of those guidelines would indicate that the Donegal players may not thank McGuinness for his revelations.
As a player, mentor, or official with a unique insight into team selection, tactics, form, or insider information, the best recommendation is to never bet on a competition your team is involved in. Legislation in Ireland and Northern Ireland outlines severe consequences relating to any potential match-fixing or abuse of insider knowledge, with penalties including a fine and/ or imprisonment.
Within the GAA, match-fixing or improperly influencing the outcome of a game for your financial gain or another’s could fall under ‘Misconduct considered to have discredited the Association’ dealt with under Rule 7.2(e) in the Official Guide 2013. Penalties for individuals or teams/units range from a minimum 8-week suspension to debarment and expulsion from the Association.
McGuinness' memoir goes on sale on Friday 30th October and we're very much looking forward to seeing some more interesting tidbits like this one.
[Examiner]
