By Frank Craig
Chairman Mick McGrath in his report to this evening’s County Convention took aim at Croke Park and the way in which they dealt with outgoing secretary Aideen Gillen last August.
The Dungloe club woman was handed an eight-week suspension earlier this year for her participation in the writing of a letter of support to an appeal by a Donegal club mentor/coach to have a 48-week ban for fielding an overage player reduced.
However McGrath, who felt that punishment was harsh, said: “I have already expressed my disappointment on the way that Croke Park treated an admission of administration mix-up, with a heavy handed approach, and to treat a voluntary officer in such a fashion was not acceptable.
“Your understandable absence tonight due to the recent death of your husband Martin is totally understood, but we shall join in thanking you for your service to our Association over the past five years.
“I congratulate Aideen Gillen for her report which is a record of events in 2019. It’s factual, informative and outlines many areas of record that has occurred this year.”
On Alan Boyd’s financial report, he added: “He has delivered a comprehensive report. I acknowledge the positive support he received from Eilis Rushe, our book keeper and our county administrator Noreen Doherty, Paddy Tinney, assistant treasurer and our auditor Enda Bonner.”
With the Training Centre almost complete, the facility in Convoy will soon be fully functioning.
“We shall move to out new centre in Convoy in 2020 but there is still much work to be done,” McGrath explained. “We need a person in every club to lead out our ticket sales and draw awareness over the next few months.”
He added: “The largest fund-raiser ever undertaken in our county is currently under way and I ask you all to support this effort. This effort is your effort. This organisation is your organisation. This Donegal is your Donegal.”
The chairman also plaid tribute to David McLoone, development officer for his work and reserved a special mention for Frankie Doherty, CCC chairman after all domestic fixtures in the county were completed in 2019.