Brian McEniff is also Donegal's Central Council delegate

Donegal football boss Brian McEniff has alleged that GAA clubs in Boston and Chicago are attempting to poach the county's best players.

McEniff, who is also Donegal's Central Council delegate, made the claim on the opening evening of the two-day GAA Congress in Belfast.

"We face the threat of losing players abroad for financial gain," said McEniff at the gathering in the Europa Hotel.

Responding to the allegation, North American Board delegate Eamonn Kelly said that his unit had already investigated the claims but had found "no firm evidence" to back them up.

"We are doing everything in our power to prevent this but these are only rumours," said the North American Board official.

Outgoing GAA president Sean McCague claimed that it was clear that things were been done behind the backs of the North American Board.

"We are sending a clear signal to the North American Board that clubs here are sick to the teeth of this and will not tolerate it," said McCague.

Sin-bin option

The most positive development on the opening evening of Congress was president-elect Sean Kelly's offer to mediate in the dispute between the Dublin County Board and the Leinster Council.

The two bodies have been at loggerheads over the administration of the Strategic Review Committee's plan for rejuventating the GAA in the capital.

Kelly will take the presidency from McCague on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the GAA's director-general Liam Mulvihill said that proposals to introduce the sin-bin to gaelic games were being considered.

Mulvihill also said that players needed to "show more respect" to referees out on the field of play.

The director-general hinted that he was unhappy at criticism from certain quarters within the GAA at the association's acceptance of sponsorship from alcoholic drinks companies.

"One would be forgiven for thinking that the GAA was the only Irish sporting organisation to have a sponsorship relationship with an alcoholic drinks company," said Mulvihill.