Frank Craig interviewed Declan Bogue about the creation of his 2011 book, This is our year, which chronicles the stories of 11 men during that season.

The story is a dramatic one because of the fall out with Jim McGuinness, but in Frank’s story, he explains how Declan perhaps didn’t realise that the story would be controversial as it was.

This is an extract from Frank’s piece:

Donegal were, in McGuinness’ own words back then, a laughing stock with a party boys tag they’d both earned and deserved.

The Glenties man had been overlooked for the top position on two previous occasions and only got the nod in late 2010 as he was the only one still there with his hand up. Drastic times called for drastic measures. But by 2012 Donegal were All-Ireland champions.

Bogue’s book though detailed the 2011 season where Tir Chonaill picked up a first Ulster SFC crown in 19 seasons and were just about edged out in that infamous All-Ireland semi-final clash with Dublin.

That was late August of that year. The following November the Donegal News ran extracts from Bogue’s book centring on Cassidy’s input. And that’s when the fuse was first lit on this most combustible of powder kegs.

“I’d approached all those lads in 2010 and I’d it all arranged by September or October,” Bogue explained.

“Some might say it was a miracle they all agreed, even back then. I’m saying that in the context of the treatment Kevin got at the end of it. But that was the only person it happened to.”

You can find out why the players agreed when you read the full article in the upcoming issue of Gaelic Life, which will be published in digital format only on Thursday.

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