Donegal 'buzzing' after McGuinness return - Lacey

Karl Lacey and Jim McGuiness celebrate the 2012 All-Ireland triumph with young fan Matthew Murray in the Sam Maguire Cup

Donegal All-Ireland winner Karl Lacey says the the return of Jim McGuinness as county manager is "brilliant".

"The county's buzzing, it's brilliant - I'm delighted for the people of Donegal and the supporters," said the Kilcoo manager.

"Everyone's excited and everyone's looking forward to it."

Lacey added: "I'm delighted for the players first and foremost, they've had a difficult year or two. We know what he brought in previous years - the success, not even on the pitch, it's the collective off the pitch.

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"It's the whole county getting behind it, it's an identity thing with Jim, it's the culture, it's who we are and what we represent."

Lacey, who won four All-Stars in an illustrious inter-county career, resigned as head of the Donegal GAA Academy in February.

He took the reigns at 2022 All-Ireland club champions Kilcoo this summer and watched his Magpies team beat Derrygonnelly 2-13 to 1-7 in the Ulster preliminary round on Sunday.

Lacey says he is enjoying managing the Down outfit as he prepares for next weekend's quarter-final encounter with Monaghan side Scotstown at Pairc Esler.

Watch: Classy Kilcoo deny Derrygonnelly in Ulster opener

"We're delighted to get a victory and we're looking forward to the first round," said Lacey.

"Scotstown are Monaghan champions and it's a tough championship to win - they won it well by all accounts. I'd imagine they would have been watching the game and will be ready for battle next weekend.

"I've just come in, try not to change too much in terms of what Mickey [Moran] and previous Kilcoo managers have done.

"I try to keep what works well for the players and it took me a while to find that out early in the season. But I'm starting to find my feet now and I'm really enjoying it. It's a big challenge but one I'm relishing."

There was controversy in the build-up to the Down county final last month after Kilcoo appealed against the appointment of referee Paul Faloon for the game against Burren.

Kilcoo's appeal failed but Brian Higgins refereed the game following a saga and the Magpies won 2-12 to 0-9.

"I don't get engaged in that sort of stuff - my job was to shield the players leading up to the county final," insisted Lacey.

"I knew there were things going on. I wasn't fully aware of the ins and outs of it. My job was to shield the players and make sure they were focused on our training."