Naomh Colmcille say they are ‘considering’ the ruling handed down by the Donegal Hearings Committee this week.
While Naomh Colmcille avoided an originally-proposed eight-week suspension for hosting an ‘unauthorised tournament’ at Pairc Colmcille in February, the club has not escaped sanction.
A fundraising tournament – organised by an external committee heading up by Councillor Paul Canning – 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 in question was part of a wide fundraising drive that raised a collective €85,000 to carry out necessary repairs to the Dillon family home.
This week, an appeal by Naomh Colmcille was heard by the Hearings Committee, who ruled that the Newtowncunningham-based club lose their home venue for all adult games for 12 weeks.
Paul Dillon. (North West Newspix)
Fines totalling €500 have also been imposed.
The Donegal Management Committee’s hands were tied and bound by the terms of the Official Guide, meaning an eight-week suspension was proposed after they found the club in breach of sections 5.1 (a) and 6.40.
However, the Hearings Committee has plenary powers in determining sanctions and they have overturned the proposed suspension.
Naomh Colmcille commended the Hearings Committee and acknowledged the ‘obligation of the County Executive to ensure that the rules of the Association are respected.’
Naomh Colmcille have the right to appeal the Hearings Committee’s decision at Ulster level.
“As the matter is being considered further by the club we will not make any further comment until it is appropriate to do so,” Naomh Colmcille said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
Naomh Colmcille commended the Hearings Committee and acknowledged that the
The Naomh Colmcille statement read:
Tags:“This evening the club received the findings of the Hearings Committee following the alleged breaches by the club of Rules 5.1(a) and 6.40 T.O. 2019.
“The committee of CLG Naomh Colmcille notes the sanctions imposed on the club which are a fine of €250 in respect of each alleged rule breach and the loss of home venue for all adult games for a period of 12 weeks with effect from date of the hearing (30th April).
“The committee of CLG Naomh Colmcille is considering same.
“The club would like to thank the Hearings Committee for the manner in which the hearing itself was conducted and notes the obligation of the County Executive to ensure that the rules of the Association are respected.
“As the matter is being considered further by the club we will not make any further comment until it is appropriate to do so. Thanks.”
