'Maybe they should think about giving fans their money back' - Gildea

John Gildea has expressed his hope that "common sense will prevail" in the case of Jim McGuinness, who is currently facing an eight-week suspension from the Donegal sideline.

The sanction stems from a decision by McGuinness, in his first game back in the dugout as Donegal boss, who inadvertently played 17-year-old Finbarr Roarty in their McKenna Cup clash with Armagh.

The Naomh Conaill teenager started against the Orchard men in his side’s 3-16 to 1-6 victory in Ballybofey last Wednesday week.

The player subsequently turned 18 the following day, Thursday, however, according to the rulebook, Roarty is still ineligible to play Allianz Football League or senior championship football in 2024 since he did not reach the age of 18 in 2023.

On Monday, McGuinness was hit with a two-month suspension which means he could be absent for the first five games of Donegal’s Division 2 campaign. 

The ruling has caused many supporters and analysts alike to question the severity of the punishment.

However Gildea - a former county midfield and club teammate of McGuinness - has voiced his optimism that the GAA will reconsider the length of what he claimed is a ridiculous punishment. 

“You would think that common sense will prevail,” Gildea said. 

“I very strongly believe that Jim and the county board will appeal this rule. And knowing Jim, he and his squad will try to use this to their advantage.  

“There was no harm in breaking this rule, it was a nothing game. It wasn’t a major ruling and yet, because it’s Jim, he gets an eight-week suspension. There’s a lot worse going on that’s not getting this kind of attention”. 

The ruling on McGuinness’s suspension prevents him from actively participating in any games, training sessions, or match preparations during this period. Gildea also has real sympathy for young Glenties star Roarty.  

“I would really feel for young Finbarr Roarty. This could have a dramatic effect on him. 

"He’s come into the county setup, played his first game and now he’s been thrust into the limelight for the wrong reasons, and through no fault of his own.

“It’s an unfair situation all around for the value of a McKenna Cup game against what was, after all an Armagh U-20 side”. 

Gildea highlights the fact that the Orchard County sent their U-20s to Ballybofey as another example of how insignificant Donegal’s own misdemeanour was, in the grand scale of things. 

“Let’s be honest, the McKenna Cup is glorified challenge matches. I think it would be much more fitting to look at the disrespect Armagh showed the competition by fielding an U-20 team, which nobody said boo about. 

“If that happened in an FA Cup match there would be fines all over the place. You know the Ulster Council are very good at voiding games in these situations and then never comment on it. 

“In this instance, the game against Armagh never happened and if that’s the case, maybe they should then think about giving fans their money back too instead of issuing ridiculous fines and pretending the match never went ahead.”