Donegal case goes to DRA

THE DISPUTES Resolution Authority (DRA) has formed a three-man tribunal to look into the process involved in selecting a manager for the Donegal senior football team. A hearing is scheduled to take place tomorrow night in Monaghan.

Two weeks ago, Declan Bonner and Charlie Mulgrew, who went forward as joint candidates, filed an application for arbitration, with the €1,000 fee, to the offices of the DRA, after being angered at the process that saw John Joe Doherty installed as the new manager.

DRA secretary Liam Keane said: "The tribunal will have to decide whether the hearing which we intend holding this week will be preliminary hearing or a full hearing. If it is a full hearing . . . they (tribunal) may, following the hearing, issue a decision there and then or they may reserve their decision and discuss it among themselves until after the hearing."

At a county board meeting on November 3rd, attended by Bonner and Mulgrew, Doherty was ratified as manager by 27 votes to 19. The pair immediately signalled their intent to pursue their case through the DRA.

At the time, Bonner claimed they did not want Doherty to be removed from the position, nor did he and Mulgrew want the job. He said: "We want to get the selection process sorted out for the good of Donegal football as this has been an absolute shambles right from the outset."