This week, it was announced that Donegal manager Jim McGuinness had been handed a proposed eight-week ban for fielding an ineligible player in the McKenna Cup win over Armagh last weekend
Finbarr Roarty, who was 17 at the time of their tie against Orchard County, was considered underage for the match after a meeting of Ulster GAA officials on Sunday evening.
Roarty, a player for Naomh Conaill, is reported to have reached the age of 18 on Thursday. However, according to the rules, all senior inter-county players must have reached that age by the beginning of the calendar year.
As a consequence, Donegal has been told to forfeit the points earned from the victory. However, points were not awarded to Orchard County as they did not appeal.
Ulster GAA has not commented as yet, while Donegal can request a hearing to appeal the penalty against McGuinness.
A short statement from Donegal GAA said, "CLG Dhún na nGall wish to confirm that we have received correspondence from Ulster GAA regarding our Dr McKenna Cup game of January 3rd. The correspondence will be considered by CLG Dhún na nGall in the coming days. No further comment will be made until this matter has been concluded."
If the ban stands, McGuinness will miss the rest of the McKenna Cup campaign as well as Allianz Football League Division 2 games against Cork, Cavan, Fermanagh, Armagh, and Louth.
Roarty has also been hit with a two-week ban, though he remains unable to play senior inter-county football until 2025.
Naturally, the news of the proposed ban on both Roarty and McGuinness has not gone down well in Donegal or on social media.
A suspension? Absolutely farcical and another example where Ulster Council just can't hide their contempt for Donegal. https://t.co/SIbcrgXrM1
— Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) January 8, 2024
Former Donegal footballer Eamon McGee said, "A suspension? Absolutely farcical, and another example where Ulster Council just can't hide their contempt for Donegal."
"Christ would they catch themselves on. Suspended for 2 weeks for playing a game of football. He's 17; if he did know the rules, he'd hardly reject playing for the county. How can young lads play professional soccer at 16 or 17, but these young lads have to reject a county call-up?" said another on X.
While another user on the website said, "Pathetic nonsense by the GAA: the McKenna Cup is glorified friendly matches that managers use to trial players. GAA weren’t as exercised about Harte getting paid big money to manage Derry, but an 8-week ban for this is a joke!!!"
Donegal's next game will be against Cork in the Allianz Football League in Ballybofey on January 28.
