Editorial: 'Telling and alarming' silence on Donegal GAA Academy

Donegal GAA is at one of the most critical crossroads in its history.

Around 350 young players in the Donegal GAA Academy - roughly 200 of them under 15 - are at an impasse following the recent departure of the academy staff.

A simmering row boiled over on February 3 when Karl Lacey confirmed his departure as Head of Academy.

Lacey cited a lack of support from the County Board and last week the coaching, performance and logistics staff quit their roles in support.

The most telling line of a collective statement was the last: “As a group, we have lost all confidence in governance of Donegal GAA.”

The 2012 All-Ireland winner and four-time All-Star was appointed in January 2021.

Lacey’s appointment, said a Donegal GAA statement at the time was, to ‘nurture emerging talent in the county . . . by providing a holistic and progressive long-term player development programme’.

Upwards on 50 people were involved in the academy, but they claimed that their vision ‘is not aligned with or supported by the leadership within the county’.

It is only in very recent years that Donegal has come into line with those of many of its rivals across the country.

For an age, it felt as if Donegal was lagging behind in development. Under Lacey, a professional and modern academy - one that included some of the most highly-regarded coaches in the county - appeared to be blossoming.

Crucial time is being lost, not just with 2023 in mind, and the silence from Donegal GAA in the 13 days since Lacey’s resignation has been both telling and alarming.

Its next words and moves are vital.