By John Fogarty
Jim McGuinness has revealed the Donegal players bet on themselves to beat Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final.
Donegal were at odds of 10/1 with bookmakers to upset a team that had, by then, won 10 consecutive championship games under Jim Gavin. McGuinness’ side ended that run, winning on a 3-14 to 0-17 scoreline.
In his book “Until Victory Always – A Memoir”, to be released next week, McGuinness also recalls when his club Glenties, who he was coaching at the time, won a senior county final in 2005. After they drew with St Eunan’s, the players punted on themselves to win the replay at 6/1.
“When we played St Eunan’s in 2005, our boys had us backed,” he recalls. “Now, 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.”
Last year, the GAA and GPA launched their guidelines on gambling. Part of the document reads: “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.”
We are supporting #PROtectIntegrity, find out more at https://t.co/RIBqnM5NgU! #Players pic.twitter.com/bUwMPISeUq
— GPA (@gaelicplayers) October 22, 2015
This year, the GPA announced their support for #PROtectintegrity, a campaign to discourage gambling among athletes. One of the slogans used by the GPA is: “GAA is your sport, don’t bet on it.”
This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner