Críost Rí granted replay over ref’s black card error

The Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final involving Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and Coláiste Chríost Rí is to be replayed, the Munster post primary CCC has ruled.

The three-person committee, following day-long deliberations at Munster Council’s head office in Limerick, released their verdict last night, ruling in favour of Coláiste Chríost Rí.

The Cork school had objected to the result of last Wednesday week’s quarter-final against the two-in-a-row defending champions on the grounds that referee Kevin Walsh made a significant black card error during the game.

Walsh blundered in not sending off the Kerry school’s captain Barra Ó Súilleabháin after showing him the yellow and black card during Chorca Dhuibhne’s extra-time win in Killarney. However, under the new rules, the midfielder should have received a red card after his second caution on 46 minutes, but the referee failed to show it and allowed sub Gareth Ó Brosnacháin replace Ó Súilleabháin.

“Having considered both the objection and counter objection of the case along with reviewing all the evidence, the CCC of Comhairle Iar Bhunscoileanna has ruled that a replay is to take place between both sides,” a Munster post primary CCC statement said.

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne — jointly managed by Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice and ex-Kingdom midfielder Tommy Griffin — have three days to appeal the judgment before a fixture will be arranged.

The Dingle school were unavailable for comment last night.

Críost Rí boss Aidan Moynihan, who represented the Cork school at Tuesday’s hearing, said: “It restores credibility to the competition which might have otherwise been lost.

“It was the adults who made the mistake and I am delighted the adults have rectified it. The game can now be settled on the field where it should always be settled.”

Should Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne lodge an objection it is likely to delay the semi-final clash with St Brendan’s Killarney which had originally been fixed for Saturday, February 8. The other semi-final, between De La Salle Macroom and St Fachtna’s Skibbereen, will go ahead on that date.