BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Donegal GAA "degraded"

Donegal GAA secretary Noreen Doherty has acknowledged that the recent row within the county's hierarchy has "degraded" the image of the association.

Controversial Donegal GAA chairman Danny Harkin has been at loggerheads with Doherty and other county officials for several months.

Harkin said in October that he could no longer work with Doherty nor with county vice-chairman PJ McGowan and Donegal development officer Mick McGrath.

Donegal GAA has been polarised by the bitter dispute.

A motion of no-confidence in Harkin's leadership of the county was passed at a meeting last month.

Danny Harkin is expected to be deposed by Brian McEniff on Sunday
Danny Harkin: Current Donegal chairman

However the chairman refused to recognised the vote and remains in place, at least until this weekend's annual convention.

In her annual report to this weekend's convention, Doherty described the last number of months as the "most trying" of her GAA career.

"The sheer amount of adverse publicity since late August has been unbelievable and unprecedented".

The row cost the county representation in this year's Ulster Club Football Championship and some feel also contributed to Mickey Moran's decision to quit the Donegal football management.

The big issue at Sunday's convention will be whether Danny Harkin can hold off Brian McEniff's challenge for the chairmanship.

McEniff is hugely respected within Donegal and most pundits expect him to depose the controversial Harkin.

The same two men are also expected to contest the position of Central Council delegate.


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