Croke Park to deliver its findings on Donegal-Lacey saga

Donegal's Karl Lacey. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Colm Keys

Croke Park will present details of its review into finance, governance and the Academy to Donegal clubs at tonight’s monthly meeting of the county board.

The review was undertaken following the fallout from Karl Lacey’s departure as Academy head in February.

Lacey’s departure then prompted the departure of the Academy’s coaches and performance and logistics support who said, in a collective statement, that they felt “the development vision and pathway for Donegal is not aligned with or supported by the leadership within the county” and that “as a group, we have lost all confidence in governance of Donegal GAA.”

Donegal GAA later said they “reluctantly” accepted Lacey’s resignation but a specially convened meeting of the board in March to discuss the issue struck a different tone, resolving that the wish of the board was that Lacey and the other Academy coaches and support should return.

A board statement said there was “no suggestion of any misconduct relating to Karl or academy personnel,” adding that it wanted to “most strongly caution against and condemn any such suggestion.

“All finances and governance of the Academy have always been the sole responsibility of the county committee.”

Since April Croke Park officials have been speaking to all stakeholders as they seek to review and plan a path forward for the county. Tonight’s meeting in Ballybofey is open to chairpersons and secretaries.