Donegal League to launch probe after Cup game abandoned

A Donegal Junior League game was abandoned on Sunday after an incident involving the match referee.

League officials will await the receipt of the report of Gerard Devine, who abandoned the Brian McCormick Cup game between Swilly Rovers and Rathmullan Celtic at Swilly Park in Ramelton, before the course of the probe will be determined.

Swilly were leading the game 1-0 at the time when an alleged incident took place between a Rathmullan Celtic player and the referee. 

The matter will, in the first instance, be referred to the Donegal Junior League's disciplinary committee, who will ascertain the necessary course of action.

Where there is an incident involving an alleged assault of a match official, the case would be referred directly to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), whose Disciplinary Control Unit (DCU) would investigate.

“The matter will be dealt with in due course by the relevant bodies,” Donegal Junior League secretary Nigel Ferry told Donegal Live. “We will allow due process to take place and will await the referee's report to see what has been alleged.”

At a local level, the Donegal Junior League will rule on the outcome of the game and determine whether Swilly Rovers are given the passage into the Area Shield final against Letterkenny Rovers.