Jim McGuinness hit with eight-week ban after Donegal field ineligible player

Jim McGuinness has been handed a proposed eight-week ban for fielding an ineligible player in the McKenna Cup against Armagh.

Finbarr Roarty, 17 at the time of last Wednesday's game with the Orchard County, was deemed to be underage for the game following a meeting of Ulster GAA officials on Sunday evening.

The Tír Chonaill men will also lose the points from the victory, although they will not be transferred to Armagh while Roarty has been handed a two-week ban.

Donegal GAA were informed of the outcome on Monday and will decide their next course of action with their management committee due to meet tonight.

Naomh Conaill player Roarty is understood to have turned 18 on Thursday but the rules state that all senior inter-county players must be that age by the start of the calendar year.

Roarty has been hit with a two week ban though he remains unable to play senior inter-county football until 2025.

Donegal won the tie 3-16 to 1-06 against an Armagh side made up almost exclusively of under-20 players.