'No comment' from Donegal on proposed suspensions ahead of Armagh clash

Donegal GAA officials were making no comment this evening on the reported bans being proposed on Odhrán McFadden Ferry and Neil McGee.

The fallout from the after-match scenes where there was a melee with players and officials from both sides at O’Donnell Park on Sunday means five players are likely to miss next month’s Ulster SFC quarter-final clash between Donegal and Armagh.

The Armagh players in hot water are joint-captain Aidan Nugent, Ciaran Mackin and Stefan Campbell. The length of the proposed suspensions was not reported as of Wednesday evening. The sides are due to meet in the Ulster SFC on Sunday, April 24 in Ballybofey.

When contacted by The Donegal Democrat this lunchtime, Wednesday, Donegal County Board secretary Declan Martin said he had no comment to make on the report and would neither confirm or deny that Donegal had received notification of the proposed bans.

The secretary did state in the event of the report being true, due process would be followed. That process includes provision for the player(s) requesting a personal hearing and having their case heard by the Croke Park’s disciplinary authorities, if they so wish.

The suspensions came as a result of referee Paddy Neilan’s report following Declan Bonner’s Donegal winning the Allianz League Division 1 clash 1-14 to 1-13 on Sunday with Patrick McBrearty kicking a late winner.

The incident happened at the final whistle and involved a large number of players from the two sides. It was just outside the O’Donnell Park tunnel and in full view of the grand stand.

The incident was captured by the TV cameras and carried on the main evening news on RTE at 6 pm and was shown again on the GAA highlights show League Sunday and discussed by the panel, which consisted of host Joanne Cantwell and analysts Kevin McStay and Ciaran Whelan.

In light of four Tyrone players - Peter Harte, Michael McKernan, Padraig Hampsey and Kieran McGeary - and Armagh’s Greg McCabe being sent off during their Division 1 fixture at the Athletic Grounds in February and the subsequent one-match bans imposed, disciplinary action was expected.