TOM COMACK reports

The club, one of the biggest and most successful in the North American championship, along with five other clubs have exceeded the limit on the number of sanctioned players they are allowed on their books under the Croke Park Sanctions system.

Within the current system, clubs under the jurisdiction of the North American Board are allowed 18 sanctioned players because of the fact Donegal have two competitive men’s teams. However, the ‘Journal’ has learned the club ave exceeded that number by three players.

The matter is being looked at by Croke Park and it is understood the club, along with the five other offending clubs, could be thrown out of the North American championship.

Among the leading Donegal players currently registered with the club are Ciaran Bonner (Glenswilly), Peter Witherow (St. Michael's), Dualtach Molloy and Sean McEwen (St. Eunan's), Ronan McNelis and Ronan Diver (Gaoth Dobhair), Keith Cunningham (Kilcar) and Owen Waide (Naomh Conaill), Gareth Concarr and Thomas Maguire (Ardara). One of the leading officials in the club is Fintown native, Paddy McDevitt.

In May, Donegal Boston coasted to a comfortable win over the Wolfe Tones in perfect conditions in the Pat O'Brien Cup final. The team currently sit in third place in the 11-team Senior Football Championship table with eight points from their six games, three points behind McAnespie’s and two off Wolfe Tones.

Each team plays eight games, with the top four progressing into Senior Championship play-offs and the following four into Intermediate Championship play-offs. A win for Donegal in either of their last two outings against Cork or Connacht Gaels should be enough to ensure they seal a top-four berth. However, all that may be in doubt depending on the how the matter is dealt with by Croke Park.