Controversial twist as Ciaran Bonner has black card rescinded

The controversy over the Donegal senior county final took a controversial twist this morning as news emerged that Glenswilly’s Ciaran Bonner has won his appeal against his black card handed out in the county semi-final against Naomh Conaill on Sunday last.

That same black card was the subject of a Naomh Conaill appeal against the result as Bonner had been yellow carded earlier in the game and should not have been replaced. His replacement Oisin Crawford went on to give Glenswilly the lead point at 0-9 to 0-8 before Eamonn Ward had the final point to leave the final score 0-10 to 0-8.

The decision by the Donegal Hearings’ Committee on Friday night when they heard the Glenswilly appeal almost automatically meant that the Naomh Conaill case fell. It is learened that the Naomh Conaill appeal to Ulster Council has now been thrown out.

The other appeal by Glenswilly into Caolan Kelly’s red card was not uphold and he stands suspended while manager Gary McDaid will not be on the sideline tomorrow for the county final as has been handed a one match touchline ban.

The controversy has gone on all week with the county final between St. Eunan’s and Glenswilly under threat, but it will now go ahead as planned.

The Reserve final between St. Eunan’s and Dungloe will go ahead at the earlier time of 1.45 p.m. with the senior final at 4 p.m.

The Naomh Conaill club are to issue a statement on the matter later today.