Council ponders fate of Rebels

LATE last night there was still no news regarding Cork's fate following their use of six substitutes in last Sunday's Munster SFC final against Tipperary in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A specially-convened Munster Council meeting in Adare last night that began at 9pm to discuss the issue was still going on at 10.30, fuelling speculation the case was proving far more complicated than anticipated.

Cork accepted at the meeting that there was a breach of the temporary substitution (blood rule) which was inadvertent and not for the purpose of gaining an advantage over their opponents Tipperary. A source said it looked as if Cork had a strong case, particularly as Tipperary were not going to make an issue of it.

Part of Cork's problem stemmed from the confusion on their sideline. Diarmuid O'Sullivan was about to be introduced as a fifth sub when the referee indicated that centre back Ronan McCarthy had to leave the field because of a blood nose. Seemingly at the behest of the selectors, a back, Noel O'Donovan, was sent on for McCarthy. Cork manager Larry Tompkins then checked with the fourth official if it was okay to send on Diarmuid O'Sullivan and he was told it was.

Cork were adamant at last night's meeting that they didn't break the rule concerning five substitutes, but did admit they breached the blood rule.

Last night's meeting was called following advice that the Munster Council was the body to deal with the case.

Present at the meeting were council chairman, Christy Cooney (Cork), vice-chairman Sean Fogarty (Tipperary), secretary Donie Nealon (Tipperary), honorary treasurer Dan Hoare (Cork), PRO Rev. Fr. Seamus Gardiner (Tipperary), and a representative from each of the counties, Jim Hartigan (Limerick), Frank Murphy (Cork), Gerard Hickey (Clare), Teddy O'Sullivan (Kerry), Jim O'Gorman (Waterford), Michael Power (Tipperary) and Pat O'Brien (Referees Administrator).

Following a request from the Cork senior football selectors, the county championship matches involving Nemo Rangers and Newcestown and Naomh Aban and Clyde Rovers fixed for this weekend have been postponed and the county board has requested that divisional boards who have teams which include county players playing at the weekend also postpone those games.