Ballysaggart push final challenge to the DRA

Ballysaggart are intent on bringing the result of their All-Ireland junior club hurling final to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

The Waterford club had the case heard by the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee last week but the decision by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) to award Creggan Kickhams the game was upheld.

The Antrim team won the tie after a replay in Mullingar.

However, Ballysaggart have been buoyed by the experience and are confident their reservations are strong ahead of addressing the DRA.

Despite their objection to the result being ruled out of order as it was submitted past a three-day deadline, the CCCC investigated concerns Ballysaggart had about the eligibility of two of Creggan’s players.

Conor Small and Donal Carty were U16 when the competition began last year. According to rule 6.16, a player must be over 16 years to play an adult game. It also states to be “over” 16 the player’s 16th birthday must fall prior to January 1 of the championship year.

The CCCC ruled in favour of Creggan as the ambiguity of the rule in question opened the possibility of a challenge if they dethroned them.

Central Council last weekend were asked to provide a binding interpretation of the rule for next season’s competition with the rules advisory committee clearing up the rule in the form of a motion at next year’s Congress. Ballysaggart themselves elected not to field their U16 players in 2013 or in either this year’s semi-final or two final games as they were instructed it was against rule.