Fallout from an alleged incident of racist abuse in a Connacht club game continued over the weekend with Galway forward Eva Noone and Westport LGFA club both releasing lengthy statements addressing the issue.
On Friday evening Noone made a statement in which she denied racially abusing a rival player during a Connacht club match late last year between Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Westport.
The Mayo club then issued a statement that hit out at the lengthy Disputes Resolution Authority appeals process and what they claim was a lack of clarity or transparency about the appeal.
Westpost initially reported the alleged incident to Connacht LGFA's Complaints, Objections, Disciplinary and Appeals body (CODA) after their 1-17 to 2-07 defeat to Kilkerrin-Clonberne back in November.
Noone was hit with a six-month suspension in February, and appealed the decision, having denied all accusations.
That appeal saw her ban reduced to 16 weeks along with a €200 fine for "engaging in insulting behaviour," before she took the case to the DRA, with Noone saying they quashed the case entirely.
Noone featured in last week’s TG4 Connacht senior final clash between Galway and Mayo, a game which saw Mayo players wear anti-racism armbands.
A social media post from Mayo LGFA showcasing the armbands made mention of Westport, with the statement reading: "A special word of thanks to Westport Ladies GAA club for your unwavering support and for upholding the values of our great game."
In her statement on Instagram, Noone made reference to that game, claiming that incidents during the Connacht final prompted her to go public with the allegations made against her and her appeals case.
Her statement read: "I wish to state clearly that I condemn racism and discrimination in all forms.
"Such behaviour has no place in our sport or our society. I fully support the LGFA’s commitment to inclusivity, dignity and respect, and I recognise the seriousness with which allegations of this nature must be treated.
"On November 2, 2025, Kilkerrin Clonberne played Westport in the Connacht Clubs semi-final. There was intense rivalry between the two sides but nothing more than we have experienced in other highly competitive matches.
"Two days after Kilkerrin-Clonberne won that match, an allegation was made claiming that I had racially abused an opposing player. This allegation is entirely untrue and without any foundation and I have consistently denied it.
"After a hearing before the Connacht Hearings committee and an appeal to the Central Appeals Committee, at which I was supported by my club and my teammates who played alongside me and witnessed all my interactions at the match, I was found to have breached Rule 2.3(d) which is engaging in insulting behaviour to other competitors, match officials or any officials. I was suspended for 16 weeks and fined €200. These decisions were challenged by me at the Dispute Resolution Authority who after a lengthy hearing quashed both decisions and decided not to direct a remittal for further disciplinary action...
"Despite that positive outcome, the lengthy process over the course of four months had a profound impact on my personal wellbeing, mental health and reputation. During that time, I missed important college and county matches, national events and opportunities connected to my teaching placement. I was also subjected to significant public scrutiny and online abuse."
Westport meanwhile have been critical of the DRA appeals process, claiming that they learned of the outcome of the appeal through Noone’s statement.
The club say that they are still waiting for answers from both CODA and the DRA, and that they are still unclear as to how the decision to quash the charges was reached.
A statement from the club read: "The club remains unequivocal in its opposition to racism and discriminatory behaviour in all its forms. Racism has no place in our sport, in our communities, or in society generally.
"In support of those values, our players and members chose to wear "Say No to Racism" t-shirts at the Connacht final last weekend as a visible demonstration of solidarity and as a statement of the standards we believe should exist within sport. That decision was taken because the obligation to stand against racism goes far beyond club or county loyalties. It is a responsibility we all carry as people.
"It appears that the original sanction imposed was ultimately set aside following the appeal process. However, as neither the club nor the player directly affected has received any formal communication, written determination, or explanation from the DRA, we are not in a position to state definitively the basis upon which that decision was made.
"Despite repeated efforts to obtain clarity from CODA at both provincial and national level, and separately from the DRA, we have not received any substantive response or even acknowledgment from either CODA Connacht or the DRA.
"We understand that DRA determinations are ordinarily published and note that decisions in matters heard after this case have already appeared on the DRA website, yet no determination in this matter has been published. As matters stand, neither the club nor the player directly affected has received any formal explanation or clarity as to the outcome of the process.
In a brief statement, the LGFA said: "We've noted the comments from both Eva Noone and Westport LGFA but we won't be commenting on this matter."
The DRA have been contacted by RTÉ Sport for comment.
