McGee reveals regret over Cassidy fall out

September 10, 2016

Jim McGuinness, Kevin Cassidy and Eamon McGee.

Eamon McGee says he regrets the fall out with former Donegal team mate and fellow club man Kevin Cassidy over the latter's book 'This Is Our Year'.

Last weekend Cassidy announced his retirement from football following Gaoth Dobhair's Donegal senior championship exit at the hands of Naomh Conaill and McGee revealed in his Irish Daily Star column today that there was "not a word spoken" between the two men in the dressing room after the game.

The recently retired Tir Chonaill defender also wrote of how he was criticised on Twitter after posting a tribute to Cassidy that evening, with one response accusing him of selling out Cassidy "for the sake of a medal".

Reflecting back on Cassidy's departure from the Donegal squad in 2011, McGee wrote: "When (Declan) Bogue's book came out it was so hard for me to back Kevin up. I'd just got back into the squad. Was I going to jeopardise my own position?

"But I know Kevin was very hurt that myself and Neil - his club men - didn't back him up. There was a time when things were very, very raw.

"We were in the local pub one night and started chatting football. The whole thing came up. There was a bit of aggro and we were getting deep into it.

"We had to be separated, which was lucky for me, as I'd have had the head kicked off me.

"I read the book, and I think Kevin knew it was his last year. He says he has no regrets over it, but I wonder does he regret not waiting another while before doing one?"

McGee feels that Cassidy "shouldn't have been doing the book that year" but also illustrated that the decision of then manager Jim McGuinness to oust him from the panel was over the top.

He wrote: "Jim's reaction too was an over-reaction, but it's such a shame that, after all we'd been through, myself and Kevin fell out over that book.

"I owe Kevin a lot. He probably doesn't even realise how much I owe him."


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