Walkovers raise system doubts

THE Cork County Board last night strongly defended the implementation of a round-robin system for the divisional section of this season’scounty SFC, despite Imokilly and Seandun both giving walkovers for their final group games due to an inability to field a starting XV.

Imokilly were scheduled to face Muskerry in a Group 1 clash in Páirc Uí Rinn last night, while Seandun were slated to meet Beara tonight in Group 2 in Dunmanway.

However, both Imokilly and Seandun informed the county board yesterday afternoon that they would be unable to fulfil the fixtures due to a lack of players available. The decision in relation to the Imokilly game could have had serious repercussions for the outcome in Group 1 if Duhallow had managed to beat Carbery last night.

That result would have led to Carbery, Duhallow and Muskerry both ending up on four points, but as Muskerry were awarded two of their points through a walkover, scoring difference could not have come into play in separating the teams.

Thus that would have created fixture chaos for the board as a play-off to determine who would progress to face UCC would have been necessary.

County board PRO Ger Lane revealed the prospect of a round-robin system was initially mooted by divisional representatives and that the divisions were adamant that they would fulfil all of their fixtures.

“We met with the divisions in relation to the strategic plan in January and it was then that they came up with the round-robin system. It was originally a Beara motion and all the divisions then supported it.

“We did point out that between National League games, Cork U21 games and club games, it would be difficult to schedule the games. But they all insisted that they would play all the games and that the round-robin system would work. It’s very disappointing then that some divisions did not fulfil their fixtures.

He added: “It could have created a lot of problems then in holding the fixtures. It was a very unsatisfactory situation to happen yesterday and especially at such short notice for the game last night.”