The Donegal GAA County Board is considering its options and is expected to appeal Jim McGuinness’ proposed eight-week touchline ban.
The Glenties man was hit with the suspension by the Ulster Council for fielding an ineligible player in the McKenna Cup against Armagh.
The ban comes after Donegal played Naomh Conaill player Finbarr Roarty, then 17, featured in their opening McKenna Cup win at MacCumhaill Park on Wednesday.
Roarty’s inclusion appeared to break the rule which says senior inter-county players have to be aged 18 by the start of the calendar year.
Donegal will also lose the points from their 3-16 to 1-6 win over Armagh but the points will not be awarded to the Orchard County, however, as they did not appeal.
The County Board released a statement in the early hours of this morning confirming it had received correspondence from the Ulster Council.
“The correspondence will be considered by Dún na nGall in the coming days. No further comment will be made until this matter has concluded,” the statement read.
The Ulster GAA has not commented as yet, while Donegal can request a hearing to appeal the penalty against McGuinness.
Roarty, who hasn’t played a senior game for his club, turned 18 on Thursday last.
However, competition rules for senior inter-county football state players must be 18 by the start of that calendar year to be eligible to play.
McGuinness said he had “no idea” whether he would face a sanction for fielding Roarty, but indicated he would appeal.
Roarty, who cannot play for the senior panel this season due to his age, has also been handed a two-week suspension.
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