Kerry's Munster Club SFC fixture fiasco ‘toys with players’
As Kerry Club winners, Dingle had been put on standby by the board since last month to represent the county in a Munster Club SFC semi-final in case a club team failed to win the county championship.
However, after the Killarney Legion-South Kerry county final on Sunday was drawn and the replay pushed back to November 22 to avoid a clash with St Marys’ Munster IFC semi-final next Saturday, Kerry sought clarification about a rule, which was yesterday confirmed in Legion’s favour.
The rules states: “In the case of the senior football championship, Kerry shall be represented by the longest standing club in the county senior football championship with the following exceptions - where the county shall be represented by the winners of the Kerry Club Championship: a) Where the county championship is completed and won by a divisional/group team. b) Where the county championship is not completed and all club teams have been eliminated.”
On that basis, Legion were deemed Kerry representatives in the province and will now face Nemo Rangers in Páirc Uí Rinn next Sunday. However, Dingle have been left hurt by the episode.
Ó Bambaire said: “There is a rule that states the last club standing in the county championship will go forward given the county championship isn’t completed. That rule is there, we realise that rule is there but more credence should have been given to the winners of the club championship.
“It’s very hard to be holding players on a string for so long and then cut that string in the 11th hour. We’ve a young bunch of promising players and it’s certainly not ideal, to say the least. You’re toying with those players, asking them to be ready to go, and then at the 11th hour cutting that string, and it’s not fair.
“The fixtures structure will have to be looked at and this will surely bring it to a head. In the long term, it will be for the good of all players.”
Ó Bambaire revealed Dingle yesterday made attempts to convince the county board to change their minds but the Legion-Nemo game will go ahead. He also stated club members including himself had attended Nemo Rangers’ game with the possibility of a provincial semi-final meeting in mind.
“We had to prepare as if we were going to represent our county. We prepared fully and we wanted to represent our club and county to the utmost of our ability. We have been doing that, we have been putting in the effort and time to do so.”
Speaking on Radio Kerry yesterday, Dingle manager Paul Fitzmaurice lashed the county board for their fixtures schedule which he felt precipitated this situation: “The whole system is wrong within the county and this fiasco, I’m afraid the county board have been shown up.”
On Twitter, Dingle players also expressed their grievances. Paul Geaney posted: “Disappointed with @Kerry_Official. Is there any point playing the club championship next year, seems a waste of time. Best of luck to the Legion, they’ll give it a good rattle and hopefully end up in Croke Park next March. Not fair on them either however.”
David Geaney, Paul’s cousin, tweeted about Legion: “congrats and best of luck to them... we may as well kick the club champ trophy into the Lee for all its (sic) worth.”
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