Galway footballer issues statement denying racism accusation, Westport hit out at lack of transparency
Mayo’s Lucy Wallace tackles Galway’s Eva Noone during the TG4 Connacht LGFA senior football championship final at Carrick-on-Shannon last weekend. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Galway LGFA player Eva Noone has released a statement to deny an allegation she racially abused a player in a Connacht club championship match last November.
Noone, who plays for Galway and the All-Ireland club champions Kilkerrin Clonberne, said she felt the need to release a statement after last weekend’s Connacht LGFA final. Galway beat Mayo 1-11 to 0-11 in the fixture.
Mayo players wore a “No to Racism” armband in the decider. On social media, Mayo LGFA explained the gesture.
“They were worn in solidarity. For every boy and girl in our country, our county, and our game who has ever been made to feel less.
“Inclusion. Respect. Fellowship. Friendship.
“These aren’t slogans for us. They’re the reason we play.
“We want every girl, in every club and parish in the country knowing that this game belongs to her.
“A special word of thanks to Westport Ladies Gaelic Club for your unwavering support and for upholding the values of our great game.”
It comes after a racism allegation stemming from a Connacht club championship match last November. Noone’s Kilkerrin Clonberne defeated Westport in the Connacht semi-final. Westport players attended a Connacht CODA hearing and subsequent appeal afterwards.
In a statement, Noone said she had her suspension quashed after going to the Dispute Resolution Authority.
“I wish to state clearly that I condemn racism and discrimination in all forms,” she wrote.
“Such behaviour has no place in our sport or our society. I fully support the LGFA’s commitment to inclusivity, dignity and respect, and I recognise the seriousness with which allegations of this nature must be treated.
“At the same time, it is essential that all disciplinary processes are conducted fairly, objectively, and in accordance with established procedures, rules and evidential standards and also that the ultimate outcome is respected by all concerned.
“On November 2, 2025, Kilkerrin Clonberne played Westport in the Connacht Clubs semi-final. There was intense rivalry between the two sides but nothing more than we have experienced in other highly competitive matches.
“Two days after Kilkerrin-Clonberne won that match, an allegation was made claiming that I had racially abused an opposing player. This allegation is entirely untrue and without any foundation and I have consistently denied it. Significantly, there were no independent witnesses to the alleged incident nor was there any video evidence to support it despite the fact that the match was filmed and I was alleged to have said words and made gestures.
“Furthermore, no complaint was made to the referee or to any of the other seven officials present, none of whom heard or witnessed any behaviour of the nature alleged. “In contrast, two of the officials witnessed and intervened in incidents of foul play against me.
“I first became aware of the allegation on the 24th of November, 2025 as a result of contact from a social media sports platform who appeared to have been given the information in breach of the LGFA rules on confidentiality. I was first formally notified of an investigation by Connacht CODA on the 16th of December, 2025. I submitted myself to the due process set out in the association’s rules and I fully cooperated with all procedures.
“After a hearing before the Connacht Hearings committee and an appeal to the Central Appeals Committee, at which I was supported by my club and my teammates who played alongside me and witnessed all my interactions at the match, I was found to have breached Rule 2.3(d) which is engaging in insulting behaviour to other competitors, match officials or any officials. I was suspended for 16 weeks and fined €200. These decisions were challenged by me at the Dispute Resolution Authority who after a lengthy hearing quashed both decisions and decided not to direct a remittal for further disciplinary action as it determined that the disciplinary procedure was fundamentally flawed.
“Despite that positive outcome, the lengthy process over the course of four months had a profound impact on my personal wellbeing, mental health and reputation. During that time, I missed important college and county matches, national events and opportunities connected to my teaching placement. I was also subjected to significant public scrutiny and online abuse.
“I was advised I should not speak about the matter during the currency of the disciplinary process and indeed had not intended to do so at all after it concluded until I was subjected to serious abuse and an attack on my person while on the field of play during last Sunday’s Connacht County final.
“I have played football since I was five years old and have an exemplary record, never having received even a yellow card at club, school, college, or county level. I have played with and against individuals from diverse backgrounds, captained teams both at home and abroad, and am currently training to be a teacher.
“The allegation made against me does not reflect my character, conduct, or the values I have consistently demonstrated throughout my involvement within the game and in my life outside of it. Anyone who knows me can attest to that.
“I have been aware from a young age of the spotlight I am under at all times on the field and the role model that I have become for others and the necessity of always trying to live up to that. It is a responsible position which I value enormously and I would never ever jeopardise it lightly.
“I hope people will respect the seriousness of these matters viewed from both sides and the importance of respecting and recognising that due process has taken place. I now wish to focus on moving forward, continuing my career, and contributing positively to our game and society both on and off the field.
“Thank you to everyone particularly my family, team mates and mentors for their unstinting support throughout this period.”
In a statement to the , Westport said their members had cooperated throughout from the CODA hearing and Central Appeals Committee.
“However, we wish to make clear that neither the club nor the player directly affected received any notice whatsoever of the subsequent hearing before the DRA. Neither was invited to participate in any capacity, attend the hearing, provide submissions, or even informed that the appeal was taking place. In circumstances involving allegations of racial abuse, we consider that deeply concerning.
“The club remains unequivocal in its opposition to racism and discriminatory behaviour in all its forms. Racism has no place in our sport, in our communities, or in society generally. Incidents of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness and addressed in a manner that promotes confidence, accountability, transparency, and trust for those affected.
“In support of those values, our players and members chose to wear “Say No to Racism” t-shirts at the Connacht final last weekend as a visible demonstration of solidarity and as a statement of the standards we believe should exist within sport. That decision was taken because the obligation to stand against racism goes far beyond club or county loyalties. It is a responsibility we all carry as people.
“Silence, indifference, minimisation, or attempts to excuse discriminatory behaviour only serve to undermine those standards. Everyone involved in sport has a responsibility to challenge such behaviour and to ensure that there is a clear and consistent zero tolerance approach to racism at every level of the game.
“It appears that the original sanction imposed was ultimately set aside following the appeal process. However, as neither the club nor the player directly affected has received any formal communication, written determination, or explanation from the DRA, we are not in a position to state definitively the basis upon which that decision was made. From what we have been informally led to understand, procedural issues appear to have arisen. If that understanding is correct, we consider it extraordinary and deeply concerning that a matter involving allegations of racial abuse could ultimately fail on procedural grounds.
“Perhaps most disappointing of all has been the complete absence of transparency throughout this process. Despite repeated efforts to obtain clarity from CODA at both provincial and national level, and separately from the DRA, we have not received any substantive response or even acknowledgment from either CODA Connacht or the DRA. We understand that DRA determinations are ordinarily published and note that decisions in matters heard after this case have already appeared on the DRA website, yet no determination in this matter has been published. As matters stand, neither the club nor the player directly affected has received any formal explanation or clarity as to the outcome of the process.
“While we respect the importance of fair procedures within any disciplinary framework, we are deeply disappointed by the lack of communication and transparency afforded to the player directly affected throughout this process. Our member endured the original incident and then the distress of multiple hearings and appeals, including being subjected to cross-examination by the respondent, only ultimately to be left entirely uninformed of the outcome. We do not believe that reflects the level of care, dignity, or respect that should be afforded to any person involved in circumstances of this nature.
“There is a responsibility on sporting bodies to ensure that those who come forward in good faith are treated with humanity, transparency, and respect throughout the process. We believe there must now be serious reflection on whether that standard was met in this instance and on the message this sends to future complainants who may understandably feel reluctant to speak up if this is how matters of this nature are handled.
“Notwithstanding everything that has transpired, we remain extremely proud of our member for having the courage to come forward and participate in what has been a lengthy and difficult process.”
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