Breaking Jim McGuinness' eight-week ban overturned after appeal

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has won his appeal against an eight-week ban for fielding an ineligible player in the McKenna Cup win over Armagh.

Finbarr Roarty - 17 at the time of the clash with the Orchard County - was deemed to be underage for the game following a meeting of Ulster GAA officials.

Roarty turned 18 just a few days after the match but the rules state that all senior inter-county players must be that age by the start of the calendar year.

McGuinness was hit with a proposed suspension but he requested a hearing with the Ulster GAA hearings committee, which took place last night.

The initial decision laid the blame at McGuinness' feet for not being unaware Roarty was still 17 at the start of 2024, but with that infraction 'not proven' it suggests that may have been the manager's responsibility.

His appeal has been successful, with Donegal GAA confirming: "Following a request by Jim McGuinness to the Ulster hearings committee, the county secretary has been informed that the alleged infraction was not proven, and that no further disciplinary action is to be taken.

"We can now look forward to our McKenna cup semi-final against Monaghan on Sunday."