Decision not expected on Naomh Colmcille appeal until ‘later in the week’

Naomh Colmcille must wait to learn if their appeal against an eight-week suspension has been successful.

The Newtowncunningham-based club met with the Donegal Hearings Committee last night in a bid to overturn the sanction after they were found to be in breach of the GAA’s official guide when staging a charity fundraiser at Pairc Colmcille.

The club has been advised of the timescale involved and a decision won’t be known today. It is expected that a verdict will be communicated by the end of the week.

A fundraising tournament was held in aid of Paul Dillon, a former player and coach at the club, who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The tournament was part of a wide fundraising drive that raised a collective €85,000 to carry out necessary repairs to the Dillon family home.

Donegal GAA was alerted to the tournament and last week the club learned of the penalty, which has been roundly criticised since.

Naomh Colmcille have been penalised under sections 5.1 and 6.4 of the GAA’s official guide and were handed a proposed eight-week suspension and a €500 fine.

Naomh Colmcille were charged for an ‘unauthorised tournament held on Pairc Colmcille on 23^rd February 2019 and the use of grounds for this tournament’.

Were the Hearings Committee to rule in favour of the Donegal GAA management committee, Naomh Colmcille could appeal to the next available body – the Ulster Hearings Committee.