Donegal GAA Board delegates unhappy at ‘secret medal function’

Two Donegal GAA delegates have hit out following what they termed a “secret gathering” on Friday night last in the Abbey Hotel. 

Senior county board officials joined representatives and management from both the Donegal football and hurling panels in Donegal Town, where medals were presented following the victories in the Ulster SFC and Allianz League Division 2, as well as the Nickey Rackard Cup. 

It is understood a GAA Banquet to present annual awards and medals was being planned for the end of October with a date to be finalised at Monday night’s meeting of the county committee. However, the function, three nights before the meeting, took place with many unaware it was even on.  

Realt na Mara, Bundoran, delegate Michael McMahon said the first he heard about the function was on Saturday night, 24 hours afterwards, while Colm Shovlin from Naomh Ultan was similarly annoyed. 

“This is totally unacceptable and disgraceful to have a function that is virtually secret to celebrate the great achievements of our footballers and hurlers; it just beggars belief,” McMahon said. 

“This was a golden opportunity to pay tribute to our GAA stars - that is only common sense - but why make it a secret affair? Supporters who pay to go into the games would love to have a chance to buy a ticket as was the case previously and meet up with Jim McGuinness and Mickey McCann and the players. They are their heroes but keeping them in the dark is just petty. 

“There isn’t a county in Ireland that would do something as bizarre as this. And what about the media who give unrivalled coverage to our games? They were not told about it either. 

“The questions need to be asked: Who knew about it? When was it organised and who gave the permission to organise it? And who decided to make it a secret? It is unbelievable that a county board would apparently make so little of what should be a great occasion. Or are there other forces at play here? 

“As far as I know, hardly any club delegate knew about it, and we are members of the county committee too - or have they forgotten? Who benefits from having this being kept quiet? Is the GAA in Donegal isolating themselves from their supporters? Are we alienating ourselves from the grassroots?” 

Mr McMahon said he raised the matter at Monday night’s county committee meeting and was deeply disappointed with the response. 

“I asked for an explanation, but none was forthcoming from the top table and that is a very strange situation,” he said. “It is total disrespect and there seems to be no accountability.” 

Naomh Ultan delegate Shovlin said he also raised the matter at the meeting. 

“Last year there was turmoil in the county and there was a lack of transparency, as nobody knew what was going on and then we were told there would be a new leaf this year,” he said. 

“Now we see that the county committee, which is the delegates, did not have a clue as to what was going on. That part of the county committee was completely by-passed and then we are told that nothing can be done unless the county committee approves it.  

“When I went to the meeting, there were rumours about this function but none of the delegates seemed to know about it. I brought it up at the meeting, but I did not get a very clear explanation which has left me wondering what was going on. 

Mr Shovlin criticised the promotion of GAA in Donegal and said there “is a wedge between the county senior football team and the spectators” He said the paying public deserve better than what he branded a “PR disaster”, citing a perceived sense of “paranoia” when it comes to dealing with the media. 

He said: “You would nearly need a special invite now to see a county footballer. 

“It is disrespectful to the players as they deserve for people to be there to give them a round of applause as Ulster Championships and Nickey Rackard Cups don’t come around too often. 

“This is crazy, and it would not happen in any other county.” 

When asked for a response the Donegal GAA PRO said that a statement would be issued after the matter was discussed at Donegal GAA County Executive and county committee on Monday night. No response has been forthcoming.