Ulster GAA to probe eligibility of Donegal teenager Finbarr Roarty after McKenna Cup game

An investigation into the eligibility of Donegal teenage footballer Finbarr Roarty is being carried out by Ulster GAA's following the county's win over Armagh in the McKenna Cup on Wednesday.

Concerns about whether Roarty, who plays with Naomh Conaill club, may have been underage and therefore ineligible to play in the Ballybofey clash have, according to The Irish Examiner, led the competitions control committee of Ulster GAA to investigate the issue.

The GAA rulebook states that a player must have celebrated his 18th birthday prior to 1 January of that year to be eligible for senior inter-county. Rooney, a county minor for the last two seasons, is reported to have turned 18 on Thursday. He has yet to play senior for his club.

If it is determined that there was a breach of the minimum age limit, Donegal could face forfeiture of the game without award to the opposing team. A potential two-week suspension for the player involved and an eight-week suspension possible for the person or persons in charge could follow.

Donegal face Tyrone in their final McKenna Cup group game on Sunday, game number two in the second coming of Jim McGuinness as county manager. The Glenties native is expecting a stiffer challenge than what an experimental Armagh side put in at at MacCumhaill Park.

Speaking to reporters after that game, he said: "Once we saw the Armagh team line-up during the week we knew they were coming with a young side so we prepared accordingly.

"Listen, it was nothing as regards the (Armagh) team we will meet in the fourth round of the league.

"It was good to be back in MacCumhaill Park in front of our own supporters. We have another game on Sunday (against Tyrone) and we're looking forward to that but we know it will be a much