Decision on All-Ireland senior club final controversy expected on Today
DECISION DUE: Glen olayers look on dejected after the All-Ireland club final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) are expected to offer their judgement on the controversial All-Ireland senior club final early Tuesday afternoon.
Following Glen’s objection and Kilmacud Crokes’s counter-objection last week, both clubs made their representations at a hearing of the full CCCC committee in Croke Park after 7pm on Monday evening.
Glen explained their challenge to the result of last Sunday week’s defeat to Crokes based on there being more than 15 Crokes players on the field for a brief period in additional time when they were attacking. Crokes tabled a counter-objection last Friday.
While sources indicated a replay is still considered the likely decision by the CCCC, it had been expected there would be an acknowledgement at the hearing that the match officials made an error in allowing play to develop from Glen’s 45 as Crokes had Dara Mullin as an active player despite having been replaced by Conor Casey seconds beforehand. It’s understood there was no mention of the incident in referee Derek O’Mahoney’s report.
Whether the mistake is enough of a mitigating factor against the cited breach of Rule 2.1 of the playing rules – “a team shall consist of 15 players” – lies at the heart of the matter.
There appears to be a dwindling appetite for a replay in Glen as there already had been in Crokes. Glen made their objection last Tuesday having been informed by the CCCC that they would review the matter upon receipt of a claim that a rule had been broken.
Glen players Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty lined out for Derry in Saturday’s Division 2 win over Limerick as was always intended, according to manager Rory Gallagher. “We have well defined breaks, well established breaks, for the boys and we hadn't even have a discussion about it in the last few weeks.
“They have great mental strength. I know their mentality and they love playing football for Glen and for Derry. Conor was outstanding given he hasn't even trained with us. We all expected Glen to be finished last week but the boys are available for Derry now and that's it."
Both Glen and Crokes were permitted to be represented by two full members at this evening’s hearing. No evidence or submission for the objection and counter-objection can be given in the absence of either party.
Upon receipt of the decision, it can be contested in front of the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee.
