Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
One of the most talented wingbacks of this generation, Kevin Cassidy has already picked up an All-Star in 2002 after a summer of consistently high quality performances. Last year he played as well but was overlooked for the accolade. Awarding a 21-year old so early normally scares people off. As Donegal reach full maturity he will surely be recognised again.
Although solid in defence and as teak tough as you are going to get in the ever more physical modern game, Cassidy’s main powers are in his surging forward runs.
Donegal come into the championship off the back of quarter and semi-final All-Ireland appearances in the last two years. Could this be the year when they go one better and return to the glory days of 1992.
On their current league form, when they won seven games from seven outings to top the Division 2A table, they look to be the main danger side this year. If it is to happen they will need Cassidy to continue his rapid progression towards becoming a household name in Gaelic Football. Watch this space.
What is your greatest sporting experience so far?
Winning the All-Star award in 2002 was special. That was the best year for me personally but last year, as a team, we had a good season by reaching the All-Ireland semi-finals. However, we have no medals yet!
Who are the toughest teams you have ever faced?
Tyrone and Armagh. Tyrone beat us in the McKenna Cup final this year but Armagh are the best team I’ve ever faced. We played them in the All-Ireland semi-final and although we were unlucky to lose on the day, they were excellent.
Who is the toughest opponent you have ever had to mark?
Christy Toye. We are always put on each other in training, with both Donegal and Sligo IT, and of course I end up marking him at club level as well. At inter-county level Evan Kelly of Meath because he is such a powerful runner and Paul Clancy of Galway because he is so fast.
How far can Donegal go this year?
It’s so hard to say. Antrim and Tyrone are in our side of the draw, how we play against them will define our season. We are capable of beating them and if we do we are well capable of winning Ulster. After that who knows? Not many tipped us last year after the league disappointment but we knew ourselves we could perform better.
What advice would you give to young players?
Just keep at it in training. Stay with your sport and stay out of trouble.
Who was your childhood hero?
Anthony Tohill and Sean Óg De Paor, he was excellent for Galway when they won their All-Irelands in 1998 and 2001. From Donegal, Anthony Molloy was an inspiration when we won the All-Ireland in 1992. In other sports, I suppose Muhammad Ali.
How do you balance your studies and football?
It’s tough, especially in the couple of weeks of summer when you are trying to prepare for the championship and study for exams at the same time. Although, it is worth it in the end. Brian McEniff (Donegal manager) is very understanding and doesn’t put any pressure on us if we are trying to study.
© June 2002
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