Donegal duo axed for ‘disciplinary reasons’

DONEGAL’S problems have deepened in the wake of their comprehensive Ulster football final defeat to Armagh.

It has emerged that half-back Eamon McGee and midfielder Brian McLaughlin have been cut from the panel for disciplinary reasons.

Both had been cautioned earlier in the summer, for failing to report for training in the aftermath of Donegal's defeat of Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final. While both players did arrive to training in Fintra on Monday evening, neither was reportedly fit to train.

As it was their second breach of discipline in three weeks, it is thought an example would be made of the pair.

Following their demolition by Armagh, the Donegal panel spent the night in the Abbey Hotel in Donegal town. It is understood a number of players continued drinking into the Monday, but only McGee and McLaughlin had been previously warned about indiscipline.

The incident has echoes of two years ago, when Mickey Moran resigned as manager following suggestions of a couple of days drinking session after their draw with Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Manager Brian McEniff said he would deal with the issue on his own terms. “We are going to conduct our own investigation into what happened.”

Both players came to training on Wednesday night in Ballybofey, and a meeting took place afterwards between players and the management regarding the matter. It is believed both players were asked to leave the panel with immediate effect.

County board treasurer and acting PRO Charlie Cannon said: “Two players have been released from the county panel by the management for a breach of discipline.”

No other official comment was available.

Twenty-year-old McGee is in his first season of championship football and has been a regular wing-back since the start of the season, because of an injury to his Gweedore club-mate Kevin Cassidy. McGee won a Sigerson medal alongside Cassidy with Sligo IT in February.

McLaughlin has been a member of the Donegal panel since the mid-nineties.