We acted fairly, say Corca Dhuibhne

The principal of one of the schools involved in the first black card controversy has hit out at comments suggesting members of their management team inappropriately influenced officials during the contested fixture.

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne principal Pádraig Firtéar, in announcing that the champions would not challenge the replay ruling handed down by the Munster post primary CCC, rejected claims that the team’s management had influenced officials during last month’s Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final against Coláiste Chríost Rí.

It would appear that Firtéar is making reference to the comments of Críost Rí boss Aidan Moynihan who told the Irish Examiner his side were left in “an ambush position” by the make-up of referee Kevin Walsh’s linesmen.

Moynihan said: “The linesman on our side was Eddie Walsh who is from Kerry and part of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s Kerry backroom team. The other linesman was also from Kerry, Pat Sheehy. It was a bit of an ambush position to be putting us in having those officials.”

Firtéar, in a statement said: “Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne rejects any implication that the team management acted improperly. All actions of the team management at the time of the substitution were carried out with the full knowledge and on the advice of the relevant match officials. We also strongly reject any notion that the management of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne had any inappropriate influence on any match official, as has been suggested.”

The quarter-final has been re-fixed for next Saturday, February 8 (1.30pm, venue TBC). The Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final between De La Salle Macroom and St Fachtna’s Skibbereen has been set for the same day at Ballineen, 1.30pm.

The postponed Harty Cup semi-final involving St Francis College Rochestown and Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon will also go ahead on Saturday (time and venue TBC).