St Nick’s call for probe

ST NICHOLAS football club last night called on the Cork County Board to investigate claims that Carbery played a suspended player in the Cork SFC last Sunday week.

The third-round tie ended with Carbery victorious against St Nicholas by 1-16 to 2-8, but the win has been overshadowed by speculation that Carbery fielded a player who had been sent off the previous Monday night in a challenge game.

The Northside club sought to quell rumours they are launching an objection against Carbery’s future participation in the 2009 championship, but stressed that they believe the county board should investigate the matter.

A statement, signed by chairman Jerry Howe and honorary secretary Finbarr McCarthy, read: “On Sunday June 21st Carbery defeated St Nicks in the Evening Echo Cork County Senior Football Championship. In the days after the game there has been intense speculation and rumour that St Nicholas Football Club were considering lodging an objection against the legality of the Carbery team.

“We are aware of the reasons for the speculation in relation to a challenge game in which Carbery played on Monday June 15th and the sending off of a Carbery player (who) subsequently played in the game against St Nicholas. It is not and never has been the policy of St Nicholas Football Club to object to results having already been beaten on the field of play. Therefore we will not be lodging any objection. We feel it is a matter for the Executive of the Cork County Board to fully investigate all aspects surrounding the challenge game in which Carbery played.”

When contacted last night Cork County Board PRO Ger Lane stated: “We have not heard anything from St Nicholas and at the moment, there is nothing for us to investigate.”