Fergus McGee to step down as Donegal GAA chairman at convention

Fergus McGee is set to step down from his role as Donegal GAA chairman at December’s County Convention, DonegalLive has learned. 

The St Eunan’s clubman, who only succeeded Mick McGrath in late 2022, informed his fellow executive members of his decision at a meeting in Convoy on Monday night. 

Most of 2023 was turbulent waters for Donegal GAA. There was the Academy debacle last February when Karl Lacey stepped away from his role as did the majority of his 38 coaches who, in their own release, stated they “had lost confidence in the governance of Donegal GAA”. 

A subsequent and independent review carried out by Croke Park found numerous failings within Donegal GAA and how they were conducting their business. It was a damning document. 

On the field, a bungled and prolonged process to find Declan Bonner’s replacement eventually resulted in Paddy Carr being appointed as Donegal senior football team boss. 

However, a disastrous NFL campaign, and subsequent relegation to Division 2, meant he was nudged out the door following a heavy loss to Mayo in Ballybofey in March. His assistants Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley picked up the reins.

The team would fall at the first hurdle in Ulster to Down but did improve in the All-Ireland series, making the preliminary round quarter-finals. However, Donegal's season fizzled out completely as Tyrone eased to a 1-18 to 0-13 win in Ballybofey. 

It's fair to say that the above issues, both on and off the field, were problems inherited by McGee. But to his credit, he and a five-man team tasked with finding a new senior football team boss managed to once again snare Jim McGuinness. 

McGuinness overseen a hugely successful spell at the same helm from 2011 to 2014 and led the county to three Ulster titles as well as 2012’s All-Ireland crown.  

Efforts made to contact McGee on Tuesday afternoon for an official comment proved unsuccessful.