A man suffering from motor neurone disease has hit out at a “shocking” potential ban for his former GAA club after it hosted a soccer tournament in his honour.
Naomh Colmcille in Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, hosted the event in aid of Paul Dillon as part of a fundraising drive for the dad of three.
But it has been recommended it is slapped with an eight-week ban for hosting the fixtures on its grounds – as it contravenes GAA rules.
Mr Dillon told the Irish Mirror: “I just think it’s wrong for a start.
“I was involved with the club. I played for them and I managed their teams for 10 years and won lots of trophies for the club underage.
“I’m just very shocked you know, I think it’s a disgrace really. It was only mates really coming together for a bit of craic.
“There was nothing serious, it was just some people coming together – my friends organised it for me to raise a few pounds for renovations for my house and stuff.”
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Mr Dillon, a former player and manager of Colmcille’s U13 and U14 teams, was diagnosed with the debilitating illness earlier this year and the GAA club’s fundraiser in February was part of a community drive – including concerts and a 5km fun run that raised €85,000 for his treatment.
The potential Donegal GAA ban, which is being appealed by the club, means they may have to forfeit all adult fixtures for the next two months and hand over a €500 fine.
The games took place on a field no longer in use by the club.
A simultaneous Gaelic match at the same venue was abandoned due to an incident, leading club officials to help out at the charity event.
Local councillor Paul Canning said: “It’s disappointing what’s happened.
“The local GAA club were in no way at fault for what they did.
“The GAA in the county is coming down like a sledgehammer on a small nut.
“It’s shameful what they’re at. A community that tried to help a young fella and they’re being punished accordingly and I think that’s wrong.”
A Donegal County Board statement read: “The club is not currently suspended but the findings of an investigation has recommended suspension for eight weeks – this is the minimum period of suspension for holding an unauthorised tournament.
“Due process shall take place and CLG Naomh Colmcille have the right to prove these findings incorrect or mis-applied.”
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