BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Donegal GAA row rumbles on

Donegal GAA hierarchy's remains polarised by a bitter dispute between the county chairman Danny Harkin and his fellow top officials.

The other members of the Donegal GAA executive called a meeting for Wednesday evening to hear a motion of no-confidence in Harkin's leadership of the county.

However, Harkin declared the specially-convened gathering null and void on procedural grounds and using his chairman's powers, declared the meeting closed after only 15 minutes.

The meeting had been organised by executive members angered by Harkin's public support for the rebel Gaelic Players' Association and his criticism of the board's handling of the player transfer controversy in the county.

Brennan transfer

Donegal's championship has been on-hold because of a series of appeals by clubs and the county will not have a representative in the Ulster Championship.

The most high-profile protest led to St Eunan's been thrown out of the Donegal Senior Football Championship.

There is speculation that Harkin's fellow officers will make a further attempt to unseat the chairman on Monday next but it has been suggested that he will not attend that meeting.

The controversy arose when Ardara objected to St Eunan's player Eddie Brennan, claiming that he had made an illegal transfer.

Donegal threw out the objection so Ardara then appealed to the Ulster Council.

The Donegal disputes have made it all the way to Sean McCague's desk
GAA president Sean McCague

The provincial body then referred the matter to Croke Park for clarification and after getting the information it needed, Ulster upheld Ardara's appeal and threw St Eunan's out of the competition.

The Donegal County Board then decided to challenge that decision by making a fresh appeal to Croke Park only for the appeal to be thrown out on a technicality.

There is a fee for making such an appeal and a cheque has to be sent to Croke Park.

Headquarters rejected this latest appeal on the basis that the cheque had not been properly completed in the Irish Language as is required by rule.

The protracted controversy means the Donegal Championship will not be completed in time for the Ulster series, which angered chairman Harkin.

He criticised his fellow officers' failure to adjudicate on the appeals as they instead decided to refer the issues to the Ulster Council and then Croke Park.

Harkin was on holiday during the period when the appeals were made.

Meanwhile, a motion of no confidence in Donegal county secretary, Noreen Doherty tabled by Setanta hurling club has been referred upwards to Croke Park.

Chris Brown managed Derry to this year's All-Ireland Minor title
Chris Brown: Nominated for Derry job

Setanta have been in dispute with the executive recently over various player suspensions.

Meanwhile, a number of Derry clubs have nominated Chris Brown for the position of Derry football manager.

Despite Brown's nomination, Mickey Moran seems certain to be appointed to the role.

Moran's assistant is expected to be John Morrison who also worked with the Maghera man during his two-year stint in Donegal.

Meanwhile, Padraig Nolan has been named as the new Kildare football manager.

Nolan takes over from Mick O'Dwyer who has moved to Laois.

Meanwhile, Bertie 'Og' Murphy could be set to make an about-turn on his decision to quit the Cork hurling job.

Murphy quit the Cork role after a number of players expressed annoyance at their treatment during the summer but tempers are understood to have cooled.

Meanwhile, Michael Doyle and John McIntyre are thought to be the leading contenders to take the Tipperary hurling job vacated by Nicky English.


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