Threat of sit-down protest at Treaty final

Limerick GAA chiefs insist tomorrow’s contentious JAHL final will go ahead despite the planned protest of a St Patrick’s club official.

Hammy Dawson of the St Patrick’s club has vowed “to lie in the middle of the pitch” to prevent the playing of the divisional decider.

St Patrick’s were forced to concede last Saturday’s semi-final against Crecora as eight of their players were tied up with the Limerick senior and intermediate football teams involved in Munster championship action that evening.

The club sought the postponement of the game, but were refused by the City division committee.

“We don’t blame Crecora, we blame the City division board,” Dawson told the Irish Examiner earlier this week. “But if they try to go ahead with that I will lie in the middle of the pitch — that game will not take place. I’ll do everything I can physically to make sure of that. It’s a disgrace.”

Limerick City board secretary Trevor Mann confirmed the final will take place, deflecting blame onto Crecora for not allowing the rescheduling the semi-final.

Mann claimed the board were in favour of postponing the fixture, but that Crecora dug their heels in.

“From a board point of view it’s disappointing the game wasn’t played but there was nothing we could do. The fixture was in the master fixture list since last February before any Munster championship games were decided. We offered all clubs the option to change if they could agree a day.”

The divisional final takes place in Clarina between Na Piarsaigh and Crecora tomorrow, throw-in 7pm.