A statement from Donegal County Board in relation to a sanction imposed on the Naomh Colmcille club for hosting a charity soccer tournament on their grounds says that the club is not currently suspended from all adult competitions.
News emerged on Tuesday that Naomh Colmcille were hit with the two-month suspension after allowing one of their pitches to be used for the fund-raising event in aid of local man Paul Dillon, who has been diagnosed with motor neuron disease.
The Newtowncunningham-based outfit's suspension came under Rule 6.40 of the GAA’s Official Guide, which covers the holding of tournament games as it was deemed that they had hosted an ‘unauthorised tournament’.
At GAA Annual Congress in February the rules were changed to allow county grounds to be used to host non-Gaelic games - however, this doesn’t cover club grounds and this is why Naomh Colmcille found themselves in hot water.
The club have intimated that they will appeal.
Following a number of requests to the Donegal board for comment, the powers that be within the county have issued a issued a response that has at its heart "a recommended suspension for eight weeks".
The statement reads: "Following media coverage that the CLG Naomh Colmcille were suspended for eight weeks, CLG Dhún na nGall have received numerous requests for comment.
"In clarification, the club is not currently suspended but the findings of an investigation has recommended suspension for eight weeks – this is the minimum period of suspension for holding an unauthorized tournament.
"Due process shall take place and CLG Naomh Colmcille have the right to prove these findings incorrect or mis-applied. CLG Dhún nan Gall are unable to make any other comment on the matter until it is resolved in its entirety and all avenues of appeal open to CLG Naomh Colmcille are exhausted."
