DONEGAL manager Jim McGuinness has had his eight-week suspension overturned following a successful appeal.

McGuinness, back in charge of Donegal for a second time, initially picked up a ban that would have saw him miss a huge chunk of his sides Division Two league campaign.

The 2012 All-Ireland manager was hit with the sanction for fielding 17-year-old Finbarr Roarty against Armagh in the opening round of the McKenna Cup, with the youngster ineligible for senior inter-county football.

The 16-point victory over the Orchard County was deemed null and void, meaning Armagh qualified for the last four of the competition with a one-point victory over Tyrone, as the best runner up, due to better score difference than Down.

Donegal didn’t appeal the outcome of the game, so the semi final pairings of Armagh vs Derry and Monaghan vs Donegal remain the same.

In a statement, Donegal GAA said: “Following a request by Jim McGuinness to the Ulster Hearings committee, the County secretary has been informed that the alleged infraction was not proven, and that no further disciplinary action is to be taken. We can now look forward to our Mc Kenna cup semi-final against Monaghan on Sunday.”