Cassidy hits out at McIver exit

Kevin McCassidy criticised his own club over McIver's departure

Donegal football captain Kevin Cassidy has slammed the county board and two clubs following Brian McIver's decision to quit as manager.

McIver wanted to stay in the post but he stepped down after clubs St Eunan's and Gweedore refused to back him at a county board meeting on Monday.

"The lads are disgusted he's gone," Cassidy told the Irish News.

"Brian should not have been treated like this - it's a disgrace that it was allowed to happen."

"We had one of the best managers in the country and definitely the best trainer in the country.

"The whole panel is very disappointed, but there is not a lot we can do at this stage.

"We were confident that everything was in place and that we could all move forward and improve Donegal football for next year, but for some strange reason it wasn't to be.

"All the players were 100% behind Brian and at the minute there is a bad feeling in Donegal."

Gweedore clubman Cassidy believes the county board should have consulted players on the Donegal panel regarding McIver.

A lot of the players are disillusioned with the whole set-up. Kevin Cassidy

"Without a doubt we should have had a say in the matter because it's the players who are playing.

"Maybe we should not decide who goes or stays in the job, but we could have been at least consulted or asked if we were happy with the set-up.

"My own club stood up against him and they did not come to me once and ask how I felt, or the two McGees (Eamon and Neil) either 0 I think the whole system is just totally wrong.

"A lot of the players are disillusioned with the whole set-up.

"I heard a few names (to succeed McIver), but it doesn't bother me who steps in.

"But anybody who has thought about managing Donegal will be thinking "if that's the way they have treated Brian McIver, how are they going to treat me?"."

Charlie Mulgrew and John Joe Doherty are being linked with the job but former county star Martin McHugh has ruled himself out of succeeding McIver.

Martin McHugh has ruled out any prospect of him succeeding Brian McIver as Donegal football manager.