A Donegal man whose local GAA club face a ban for hosting a charity soccer tournament has called on Croke Park to show leniency.
The Naomh Colmcille club in Newtoncunningham held the tournament in February in a bid to raise money for motor neuron disease sufferer Paul Dillon and his family.
The tournament raised more than €5,000 and was part of a week-long series of events held in the north east of the county.
That, combined with other events across the region, generated more than €85,000 for the Dillon family and will help to make their family home wheelchair-accessible.
Rule change
At GAA Annual Congress in February the rules were changed to allow county grounds to be used to host non-Gaelic games. This followed criticism last year when they initially refused an application to host a testimonial match for former Ireland player Liam Miller at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
At present, club grounds aren't entitled to similar dispensation.
“I was taken aback by it when I heard it first. We feel guilty. It’s not the club’s fault,” Mr Dillon told the Irish Times.
“Hopefully the ban will be overturned and people will do the right thing. I’d like to see a bit of common sense about the whole thing.”
Appeal
Naomh Colmcille’s appeal of controversial decision is to be heard next Tuesday. No suspension will come in to effect until then.
In a statement, the Donegal board said: "Following media coverage that the CLG Naomh Colmcille were suspended for eight weeks, CLG Dhún na nGall have received numerous requests for comment.
"In clarification, the club is not currently suspended but the findings of an investigation has recommended suspension for eight weeks – this is the minimum period of suspension for holding an unauthorized tournament.
"Due process shall take place and CLG Naomh Colmcille have the right to prove these findings incorrect or mis-applied. CLG Dhún nan Gall are unable to make any other comment on the matter until it is resolved in its entirety and all avenues of appeal open to CLG Naomh Colmcille are exhausted."
