Donegal progress on and off field well ahead of schedule - Mary Coughlan

Mary Coughlan says Donegal’s emergence from the doldrums in the last year continues at an accelerated pace and that progress is already well ahead of schedule.

The county chairperson - speaking after last Wednesday night’s Convention in Pettigo - also says the county has nothing to hide as Revenue prepare to take a closer look at the GAA and the way they do business. 

Indeed, Coughlan says while the GAA are grabbing all the headlines in relation to the impending probe, she stressed that it’s important to remember that Revenue will be looking into all amateur sporting organisations and not just the GAA. 

When Coughlan took the chair last December, Donegal were just out the other side of a Croke Park review into how they governed their own business while on-field matters were at a really low ebb. 

There was the Academy debacle and Karl Lacey’s acrimonious departure there, while the bungled process to find a successor to Declan Bonner eventually saw Paddy Carr preside over a disastrous spell in the dugout with the county's senior footballers. 

He was asked to step aside in an abrupt fashion prior to championship and, in the end, Donegal’s season limped to a mediocre conclusion as Aian O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley quickly got out of dodge. 

However, Jim McGuinness’ return, coupled with Coughlan’s steady hand, has certainly reversed fortunes in some fashion. 

“From a financial point of view, we were told it would take at least two years to get ourselves in some shape," she said. 

“The work that was done by Grace Boyle and the finance committee, the audit and risk and our administrators has just been second to none. 

“That has also been supported by our finance committee and you’ll see the huge amount of money that has been raised through our 50/50 draw, Cairde Dhún na nGall and it’s all of absolute necessity. 

“We did very well on the field with the hurlers having great success at Croke Park and at Ulster and in the All-Ireland series with the footballers.  

“A lot of it is done to an awful lot of hard work by a lot of people. Most importantly we’ve been supported by the clubs because without that we’d get nothing done”. 

In a historic occurrence, Donegal now has three women in place in the premier three positions on their executive as Mary Kelly, secretary, joins chairperson Coughlan and treasurer Grace Boyle at the top table.   

“It’s a very significant one and the committees have entrusted us with the work that has to be done for the next year,” she Coughlan.  

“Often Donegal is seen as a conservative county but we’re far from it. I’m delighted we have so many women as it gives balance and that’s vital in any organisation. I’m sure we’re going to have a great year. 

“It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to our secretary Declan Martin and Sean Dunnion, who have both stepped down. They've been tremendous assets to the county and the executive.”

Meanwhile, Coughlan says the county is ready and willing to work with Croke Park, the Revenue and whoever else ahead of a risk review into county boards and how they conduct their business. 

She explained: “Donegal has been through the mill the last number of years. There are new financial procedures and auditors.  

“If it happens we have to see clarity and a framework and that’s why we’ll be allowing Croke Park to represent us at a high level. 

“Because it’s at a high level this has to happen. You can’t go around after all the county boards because they do things differently or otherwise. 

“There has been a lot of streamlining in HR matters and employment. And if streamlining is needed now then so be it. 

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“But we also have to be very cognisant of the fact that everyone that isn't paid is a volunteer and it's the same for our clubs. So there’ll have to be a framework. 

“And it’s not just the GAA that this concerns, you have the LGFA, Camogie, soccer, cricket, basketball and so on. So if there is a framework agreed at the highest level then we’ll all work towards that.

“But if you’re working in a vacuum it’s very difficult. So we’ll await the discussions between the PWC and the Revenue on our behalf”.