Jim McGuinness’s appeal against an eight-week sideline ban from the Ulster Council for fielding an ineligible player in the McKenna Cup will be heard on Thursday night.
The Donegal manager got the suspension after he played Naomh Conaill’#s Finbarr Roarty, then 17, in their opening McKenna Cup win over Armagh at MacCumhaill Park last week.
Donegal were docked the two points for that victory – but still managed to top Section A and qualify for this weekend’s McKenna semi-finals.
However, the proposed eight-week suspension could see McGuinness sitting in the stands for five Allianz Division 2 League games.
If the punishment is not overturned, McGuinness will have the option of taking an appeal to Croke Park Central Appeals Committee, with the the Disputes Resolution Authority the final appeals forum available.
Here’s the McKenna Cup semi-final line-up this weekend:
Saturday: Armagh v Derry, 4pm
Sunday: Monaghan v Donegal, 1pm.
