Donegal Academy left in disarray as coaches walk out

The Donegal GAA Academy faces an uncertain future with the development that its coaches have walked out. 

It’s understood that the mass exodus is a show of solidarity in line Karl Lacey’s recent decision to step away from his role as Academy Head. 

The four-time All-Star, All-Ireland winner and former Footballer of the Year seemed to suggest his position had become untenable.

In a lengthy statement, forwarded to his 40-strong colleges at the time, Lacey explained: “I am so proud of what we have achieved and feel sad that we have not been supported in continuing to impact our young players by giving them the opportunity to grow and develop through the positive learning environments you all created every single day.

“I do hope for the sake of the wonderful young people we worked with that our brilliant progress will not be in vain and they will get the support it deserves”.

The Academy have notified the Donegal GAA board this afternoon, in writing, of their decision to stand down. 

That correspondence reads: "We regret to inform you that the coaches, performance support and logistics involved in the Donegal Academy have stepped down from their duties with immediate effect. 

 "Our U17 and U20 coaches and management teams will remain in place as they are in season and the integrity of our competitions must be preserved. We would like to express our full support for our Academy Head and are extremely disappointed in how he was treated in his role.

"However, our deepest regret lies with the 350 young Donegal players which are currently at standstill, who we have coached and bonded with over the past 18 months, and indeed their parents/guardians who were equally as committed.

"But we feel that the development, vision and pathway for Donegal is not aligned with or supported by leadership within the county. As a group, we have lost confidence in the governance of Donegal GAA".    

More to follow...