Jim McGuinness is set to receive an eight week ban after Donegal fielded an ineligible player against Armagh in the McKenna Cup last Wednesday.
The win over Armagh, which saw 17-year-old Finnbarr Roarty make his intercounty debut, will also see Donegal lose the points from that game while Roarty will be suspended for two weeks.
McGuinness’ first competitive game back in charge saw Donegal run out 3-16 to 1-6 winners against a youthful Armagh side in the McKenna Cup.
But the Ulster GAA Competitions Controls Committee ran an investigation into the game to query whether Roarty was underage and therefore ineligible.
The GAA rulebook states that a player cannot play in the National League or Senior Football Championship if they were still 17 at the turn of the year, and it is understood that Ulster GAA apply the same rules to the McKenna Cup.
Naomh Conaill clubman Roarty, who turned 18 on Thursday and has yet to play at senior level for his club, was a county minor in 2023.
After Sunday’s 1-10 to 0-15 win over Tyrone in Healy Park, McGuinness said he ‘had no idea’ on what the outcome of the investigation would be but is expected to appeal the decision.
The ban, if it stands, would see that McGuinness will not be on the sideline for Donegal’s first five Division 2 League games.
And despite winning both McKenna Cup games, they may no longer advance to the semi-finals, with Tyrone and Armagh to face on Wednesday night.
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