Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

doc_17

From what I’ve heard over the last few weeks, nobody is coming out of this with their nose clean. But in balance, if the choice is Lacey and his 40 coaches, or the 2 Co Board men, then it has to be Lacey. But there will still be questions about the funding issues uncovered.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120416633#Comment_120416633

Something we can agree on.

Nix7979

Fantastic interview with DV on the GAA Social podcast. A great character and a gentleman outside of football.

Redsoxfan

Aye very good.

Never know what to make of minor results outside of Championship but good win for our lads yesterday.

downthemiddle

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/donegal-gaa-clubs-issue-statements-calling-for-the-resignation-of-county-board-members-42415983.html

Two Donegal GAA clubs have today issued statements calling for the resignation of two members of the Donegal County Board which will be issued at tonight’s county committee meeting.

It has been a rough 2023 for Donegal GAA, following the ongoing academy controversy which saw the resignation of 2012 All-Ireland winner Karl Lacey, along with the senior manager Paddy Carr stepping down from his role after just 149 days in charge of the Tír Conaill men.

The two subsequent statements issued by the Four Masters GAA club in Donegal Town and the Baile na nGalloglach club in Milford have requested that the individuals holding the role of County Children’s Officer and County Coaching Officer would “immediately consider their positions on the Executive Committee and step down in the best interest of Donegal GAA.”

Furthermore, the Four Masters club has expressed the view that due to the overwhelming support from clubs, that Karl Lacey should be returned as Head of the Academy. They have also requested that any elected officer that does not share this view or is not willing to support Lacey, should also “consider their own position on the Executive Board”.

While the club welcomed the statement issued by the county board two weeks ago that Lacey “worked with integrity, professionalism and for the greater good of Donegal GAA”, there was still anger from certain clubs regarding the fact that Lacey’s statement of resignation was not read out by a member of the county board at the special meeting in March when it was put to the floor.

A county board meeting was called two weeks ago to provide an update on the academy situation and deal with issues raised by the media where many club delegates vented their angry about the failed interactions between the county executive and Donegal’s football infrastructure, which has seen the academy fail to open its doors on schedule this year.

Both clubs have also questioned the way in which the appointment of former team manager Paddy Carr took place last October.

The Baile na nGalloglach club have expressed their dissatisfaction at the manner in which their club’s nominated candidate for the position of Donegal manager was treated, citing the selection process as “flawed” and “farcical”, while they’ve also claimed that the then county chairman misled people in October on the information given on the selection process.

The club outlined how Carr and his assistant coach and now current Donegal manager Aidan O’Rourke were interviewed separately for the post, but were subsequently asked to go together on the one ticket by the County Coaching Officer and then county chairman who now currently holds the role of County Children’s Officer.

They further question why was such an opportunity given to Carr and O’Rourke, while their nominated candidate was not afforded such an opportunity, outlining that he had attended all club championship games in Donegal in 2022 and had a full backroom team in place to start work, while the management team appointed, “had no backroom team . . . and would struggle to get one together”.

It is understood that a motion of no confidence will be put to the floor against the two members of the Executive Committee in question a county committee meeting tonight.

ghostfacekilla

This from the highland radio news coverage of it...

Four Masters are asking for the Children’s and Coaching Officer’s to consider their positions while adding it’s their view Karl Lacey should be returned as Head of the Academy and any other elected officer that does not share this view or is not willing to support Lacey, should also consider their position.

Milford have raised issues around the selection of the Donegal Manager at the end of last year and are asking for those involved in the process, which called they called flawed, to also consider stepping away from their roles.

Fair dues to the two clubs for putting this forward. The spines of the clubs, and the reliability of their delegates to convey their thinking will be tested. Some wish to give McGee a reprieve for inheriting a mess, but let's not forget that he's been there a significant time in other positions as a witness to poor governance. The decision making of the board under his short stewardship looks like a barely patched up titantic approaching another similar sized iceberg.

If anything, removing McGeehan and McGrath should serve as a warning to the rest of the sitting members that this isn't their show.

downthemiddle

A two month wait until Croke Park issue their findings. In the meantime what happens the academy?

doc_17

The academy is up and running for 15,16 and 17s according to last nights meeting.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120438999#Comment_120438999

Who is running the academy?

doc_17

Games Development Manager - Bushell.

Nix7979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120440527#Comment_120440527

When is the other GDM coming back? Bushell is only on a short-term contract.

doc_17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120443665#Comment_120443665

I don’t know, neither do the Co Board.

Nix7979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120444654#Comment_120444654

Seems to be a position with no clear direction or directive.

doc_17

Aaron Kyles is on a sabbatical since September, think it is to pursue an educational opportunity?

Nix7979

Seems to have got out at just the right time...

Redsoxfan

Donegal News reporting that Ryan McHugh has left the panel.

Nix7979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120446601#Comment_120446601

Another experienced head gone unfortunately.

Thanks for the effort and memories Ryan!

Redsoxfan

I wonder if Ryan 'walked away' or is just not going to be fit enough to play any part this year. I'd lean towards the latter.

Redsoxfan

Watched a bit of the U20 game on YouTube.

Seemed like they play the same shite football as seniors.

ghostfacekilla

Leo firing missiles in all directions afterwards. Doing it when a team you prepare only score five points in an ulster championship match probably wasn't the right moment.

Redsoxfan

Aye he got through a lot in the 6 minutes or so with Highland

Redsoxfan

What's the story with St Michaels not being able to field teams against St Eunans today?

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120457639#Comment_120457639

Bundoran didn't field either.

Nix7979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120459714#Comment_120459714

Embarrassing for clubs of that size to be fair when you look at the likes of Na Rossa and Pettigo fielding teams against the odds for years.

Redsoxfan

No matter who the manager is we still persist with bullshit teams.

Unless anyone thinks Oisin Gallen will be in the squad?

Outside of Langan (who will start I'm sure) the bench looks very inexperienced.

downthemiddle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120505852#Comment_120505852

We're missing a full set of forwards from recent years in Murphy, McHugh, McBrearty, McNiallais and O'Donnell x2.

We have a real issue with depth.

doc_17

McNiallais had one decent year with us, 2014. That’s it. Why are people alway La talking about him when it’s clear he doesn’t want, or isn’t able, ; to commit!

ArnoldJRimmer

More of the same today unfortunately, painfully slow build up, with no ideas in attack. Not even a shock result.

Will see who we can get back in the team and if we can get some sort of kind group in a few weeks, but we're really just waiting to be put out of our misery this year

doc_17

I’d be more worried about us losing more players at this stage than getting lads in.

Nix7979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120512146#Comment_120512146

GDM is going to New York to coach for the summer. Will he take a few with him?