Fresh from his half-time analysis on BBC's Ulster Championship coverage last Sunday, Shay Given has been invited by Jim McGuinness to attend Donegal training tonight to meet with the players and have a chat.
Given has told the Herald 'I have spoken to Jim McGuinness a few times and he wanted me to go up training this week, so I think I will go tonight.'
The former Ireland goalkeeper went on to reveal that he is close friends with the Donegal goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin but said he will not be doing any specific coaching with the keepers tonight:
It's not really to do any coaching or hard work with the Donegal keepers, it's really just a case of mingling with the players, having a chat and seeing if there is anything I can help with. They're training tonight in MacCumhaill Park and Jim has asked me to go, so hopefully it will happen.
Given was at Donegal's match against Derry on Sunday and gave some half-time analysis, alongside Oisin McConville of his home county's kick-outs but, as McConville told Second Captains on Monday, Given felt more the student than the teacher.
This is reflected in his comments to the Herald, saying:
I wouldn’t say it’s a case of me having things to impart to Jim and his coaching staff, it’s more a case of me learning from Jim.
He knows his sport, he knows the psychology of sport.
I am doing my coaching badges and I feel I could only learn from someone like Jim McGuinness, we could bounce off each other.
If you're reading Shay, our Junior C team at home is looking for a goalkeeper. I'm sure you'd fill a gap?
