IT WAS back in March, 2009, that Donegal manager John-Joe Doherty made a very public appeal.
A third of his squad were unemployed and he called for help within the county to get them jobs.
Back then, Donegal footballers were second class citizens - even within their own county.
But, when Jim McGuinness succeeded Doherty as manager after the 2010 Championship, the landscape changed utterly.
Between 1995 and 2010, Donegal won just 12 Ulster Championship games.
Under McGuinness between 2011 and 2014- they won 13, playing four finals on the trot and winning three.
For good measure, he led them to the All-Ireland in 2012 and the final in 2014, beating Dublin along the way. It was to be the Dubs' only Championship defeat under Jim Gavin.
The 2014 All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry was his last game in charge, as he was keen to chase his goals in another sport - soccer.
That journey took him to Scotland, China, the US and back to Ireland. He now has a UEFA Pro Licence.
But McGuinness came to soccer late. The odds were stacked against him.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THREE-FLOWING FOOTBALL!
Klopp has come up with a new dynamic triple threat on counter
MOORE'S MERRIER
Late, late leveller lifts new boss Darren
WE'VE GAT A GREAT CHANCE
Tompkins and Davies praise Gatland's clear vision and reckon 'the sky's the limit' for Wales
BYRNE: DON'T SEND ME TO BRITISH JAIL
Kinahan mobster fights extradition to UK over 'human rights'
Bruce wife: Our family's dementia heartache
'STAR MAY NOT BE AWARE HE HAS IT'
Killer Letby retrial over 'attempted murder of baby girl'
But heartache for other families
Garda chief confirms officer injured by Dail mob
A GARDA chief said an officer was injured in last week's Dail protests by a far-right mob.
Sophia so good
Hollywood great Loren doing well'after broken hip surgery
Eternal no more
Louise is accused of 'throwing bandmates under a bus' after quitting reunion in bitter row
Our lives will never be the same again..
Family mourns 'hero and son' struck by car