A former Donegal Central Council delegate has criticised the county board over its handling of a controversial banquet in October, at the annual county convention in Pettigo.
Two veteran delegates, Colm Shovlin of Naomh Ultan and Michael McMahon of Realt na Mara had taken the board to task at the time over the fact that a gathering was held in the Abbey Hotel in Donegal Town in October, without informing the county board delegates.
Medals were handed out to the county’s victorious Ulster champion footballers and Nickey Rackard Cup winning hurlers at a Donegal GAA Awards ceremony at what the two delegates termed a “secret gathering.”
Killybegs delegate Niall Erskine asked outgoing County Secretary Declan Martin for a response to the issue at the convention in the Termon Complex in Pettigo.
Erskine referred to a decision by the County Executive to go ahead with the presentation without informing the County Committee.
“From the outside looking in, I am not a member of the County Committee but the County Committee is the governing body of the GAA in the county.
“I think it reflected badly and it showed great disrespect to the clubs by not consulting their delegates as to whether it was the right decision to make.
“I feel very sorry for those clubs who had players maybe for the first time in their history winning senior provincial championship medals and the people who supported those players and coached them from U6 upwards were not afforded the opportunity to enjoy those players at a presentation.
“I think it does not fit very well with the ethos that we proclaim as in ‘give respect’ and ‘we are all in this together’.”
He then claimed that the banquet was probably moved to allow the players to go back training.
“If anyone wishes to say this was not the case or that they were not back training in October, I will accept that, but that is my understanding.
In response, Declan Martin said the decision was taken by the County Executive based on consultation with the football and hurling team managements.
“The availability of management, players and finding a hotel in December and January to hold the event was being difficult.
“So, it was agreed at management that we would have the banquet at that time.
“It may not be the best thing to do but at the time it was in consultation with the management teams and the players that was the best required option we had at the management table.”
County Chairperson Mary Coughlan said “We had to go to the Abbey Hotel because they are our main sponsors, and we could not find availability that would tick tack and co-orelate with what the and hurlers and footballers wanted to do.
Addressing Mr Erskine, she said: “However, you did say something which was totally incorrect and given that the media are here I want to challenge you on that and that is the fact that you are of the opinion that our teams returned to play.
“They didn’t have a banquet because they were returning to training, that is not the situation, and I would like that to be accepted by each and every one of you.”
Mr Erskine said he accepted the word of the chairperson.