DONEGAL FULL-BACK Neil McGee has had his two-match suspension upheld by the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee.
Last night at a hearing in Croke Park, Donegal officials contested the Gaoth Dobhair man’s sending off against Fermanagh.
Howevever, it has been confirmed today that the red card and two-match suspension stands, meaning McGee will miss Saturday’s semi-final against Monaghan in Cavan and Donegal’s subsequent Championship game.
A statement from the GAA said: “In relation to the above game, An Lár Choiste Cheannais na gComórtaisí (Central Competitions Control Committee) instituted Disciplinary Action against Niall Mac Aoidh alleging a breach of 7.2 (b) Category III (i) T.O 2016, that is to say ‘Striking with arm’.
“The player in question requested a Hearing which took place on 21ú Meitheamh.
[adrotate group=”53″]“An Lár Choiste Éisteachta (Central Hearings Committee) found the Infraction proven and as this was a repeat Infraction, imposed a Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League / Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both occur(s) in the following year.”
McGee was given a retrospective one-game suspension after being cited for an incident with Kerry’s Alan Fitzgerald following the Allianz League game in Killarney in March.
The Donegal manager Rory Gallagher had hoped for a reprieve for the three-time All-Star, but had been planning without him.
“We’d be foolish not to be,” Gallagher said at a press conference on Monday.
“He’s out of the game and it’s something we have to deal with. Since half-time in the Fermanagh game he’s been suspended.
“It’s no different to being without any player. You just have to move on. That’s the reason you have a squad. These things always happen.
“I remember in 2012 playing Tyrone in a huge game. He twinged the hamstring in the warm-up and was gone after two minutes. We’d love to have him but we move on if we don’t.”
