Croke Park to oversee 19 recommendations for Donegal GAA 

Fergus McGee says the Croke Park review of Donegal GAA is only the beginning of the process of moving matters forward in a more positive and productive way. 

The review delegation - made up of Director General Tom Ryan, Ulster President Ciaran McLaughlin and Jack Cooney, National Player Development Lead - met with the Donegal board on Tuesday night in Ballybofey to relay their findings.

Their review - undertaken following the fallout from Karl Lacey’s departure as Academy head back in February - specifically centred on the Donegal GAA Academy, finance and governance. The aforementioned trio subsequently presented their review to county committee. 

A hard copy of the review wasn’t furnished to the clubs at Tuesday night’s meeting but it was due to be circulated at some stage on Wednesday.

Having spoken to the various stakeholders in the above examined areas, it’s believed that Croke Park will now, over a period of time, step in to oversee the implementation of 19 recommendations and a Head of Operations will also be appointed to oversee coaching, finance, fundraising and governance.

In regards to the Academy, a new committee will also be formed there to oversee matters. The process used in Donegal to select managers was also examined with the review committee recommending that approach be amended.

When contacted on Wednesday afternoon, county chairman Fergus McGee said he’d have to wait until the clubs had received the review before he’d be in a position to directly comment on its findings.

However, he did briefly outline events from Tuesday night’s meeting at Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey. 

“The report was presented to the executive and this was immediately followed by the same presentation to county committee," he told DonegalLive. "We have not yet received the report but as soon as it is released, we will be sending it on to the clubs. 

“The report is only the beginning of the process and hopefully everyone will work together now to help get matters back on track. 

“When we have the opportunity to sit down and fully digest the report and actions are identified that will be required to move things forward, I’d welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss further how we can all help”.