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GAA make controversial call on McGuinness and Clifford bans after half-time scuffle

Published 12:20 26 May 2026 BST

Updated 13:06 26 May 2026 BST

Colman Stanley
GAA make controversial call on McGuinness and Clifford bans after half-time scuffle

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Interesting!

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) have made a decision regarding the incident at half-time during Donegal's All-Ireland SFC win over Kerry on the weekend.

Both players and backroom staff were involved in a scuffle at the hooter, with David Clifford at the heart of it, while Jim McGuinness rowed with Kerry's Diarmuid O'Connor, after Micheál Burns punched Ryan McHugh.

There were also calls for Clifford to see red after what looked like an elbow to the face of Caolan McGonagle earlier in the first half.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding a ban for Donegal boss McGuinness, especially given the 12-week suspension handed to Dublin manager Ger Brennan for a similar incident.

However, it is understood that the CCCC are happy that referee Seán Hurson dealt with each matter sufficiently at the time, and no further action will be taken.

Some Dublin fans may be miffed as to why their boss got such a penal ban, but others, including Eamon McGee and Stephen Rochford - which we covered earlier - offered reasonable defences of the Donegal icon.