Munster chiefs asked to mediate in relegation row

MUNSTER Council chiefs have been asked to intervene in the ongoing Tipperary SHC relegation saga.

The battle to avoid the drop to the intermediate ranks in Tipperary book a bizarre twist last month with the postponement of the scheduled final between Cashel King Cormacs and Borrisokane.

Cashel, Tipperary and Munster SH champions in 1991, lodged an appeal with the county board against their semi-final defeat against Ballybacon-Grange.

Cashel lost an epic extra-time battle against Ballybacon, who had county star Brendan Cummins in goals, on a 3-17 to 3-19 scoreline, and finished the game with 13 players.

That loss left Cashel facing into a winner-takes-all relegation battle with Borrisokane, who were county intermediate champions last year.

But Cashel appealed their loss to Ballybacon on the basis that county CCC rules indicate that no extra-time should be played in relegation matches.

Referee Johnny Ryan, who took charge of this year’s All-Ireland minor hurling final between Dublin and Galway, insisted on extra-time being played but Cashel argued that by playing extra-time, the CCC broke rule 6.22 (4), which sets out the regulations for running games in Tipperary.

The Tipperary county board eventually ruled that the tie should be awarded to Ballybacon-Grange but Cashel officials took their case to the Munster Council.

And it is understood that Cashel chairman Pat O’Donoghue and secretary Aidan Hynes travelled to meet Munster Council officials at Limerick’s Kilmurry Lodge Hotel last night (Thursday).

Munster Council officials, who are due to deliver a verdict today, have the option of upholding Tipperary’s decision, which means that Cashel must play the relegation final against Borrisokane.

Alternatively, the provincial body can reach its own conclusion or refer the matter back to Tipperary top brass for reprocessing, which is not believed to be a viable option.

Should the Munster Council decide that the Cashel-Ballybacon tie must be replayed, it is understood that Ballybacon will launch a vigorous appeal of their own, which would further complicate the situation.