Donegal GAA clubs kept waiting for copy of Croke Park review

Donegal clubs have been kept waiting on a copy of the report of high ranking GAA officials who investigated the workings of the Association in the county.

The review committee, which included Director General Tom Ryan and Ulster President Ciaran McLaughlin, met with the Donegal county committee on Tuesday evening.

The review into finance, governance and the Donegal GAA Academy was undertaken following the high-profile departure of 2012 All-Ireland winner Karl Lacey as Head of Academy in February.

Club delegates were given a presentation on Tuesday night and it was expected that clubs would be furnished with a copy on Wednesday.

Croke Park to oversee 19 recommendations for Donegal GAA

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

Donegal Live was informed by a Donegal GAA spokesperson that the county secretary, 'has not yet received the report'.

“Once Croke Park issue it to the him, it will be sent to club secretaries to discuss with their club members,” the spokesperson said.

On Tuesday's meeting in Ballybofey, the spokesperson said: “It was a reporting forum and the start of a process, whereby the county secretary will be issued with a report that will in due course be issued to club secretaries.”

It is believed that Croke Park will, 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.

The process used in Donegal to select managers was also examined with the review committee understood to be recommending that the approach be amended.

Lacey, who was over the coaching of players from U-14 level up to U-20, resigned from his position in February and was followed by over 35 coaches from the Academy in a show of solidarity.

“We wish to clearly state that there is no suggestion of any misconduct relating to Karl or academy personnel,” read a Donegal County Board statement at the time. “We also most strongly caution against and condemn any such suggestion. All finances and governance of the academy have always been the sole responsibility of the County Committee”