Sixmilebridge and O’Callaghan’s Mills may go to DRA over score difference controversy

Both clubs are expected to apply to the DRA after the Munster Council’s hearings committee rejected their appeals about their senior hurling championship fates.

Sixmilebridge and O’Callaghan’s Mills are expected to apply to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) after the Munster Council’s hearings committee rejected their appeals about their senior hurling championship fates. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Sixmilebridge and O’Callaghan’s Mills are expected to apply to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) after the Munster Council’s hearings committee rejected their appeals about their senior hurling championship fates.

Sixmilebridge questioned Clare’s use of the new score difference criteria, which applies only to those three or more teams who finish on the same number of points.

They missed out on the knock-out stages as Crusheen had a better score difference when table-toppers Clonlara were excluded. Had the total score difference been considered, Sixmilebridge would have finished second.

O’Callaghan’s Mills felt they should have avoided a relegation play-off spot on the basis Crusheen finished second and therefore they should be third ahead of Sixmilebridge having beaten them in their final round game.

Buoyed by Gracefield’s successful case in front of the DRA last week, Sixmilebridge have not yet made a decision but are seriously contemplating taking the course of action, which could further delay the competition.

The Leinster Council’s hearings committee had dismissed their appeal in the senior B football championship in Offaly prior to the DRA hearing last Friday. The independent arbitration panel ruled that the new scoring difference rule wasn’t reflected in Offaly GAA’s championship regulations and therefore didn’t apply.

Meanwhile, the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee have ruled in favour of the Meath County Board against the Leinster Council who ordered senior football teams Na Fianna and Donaghmore-Ashbourne play off for a quarter-final place.

Na Fianna argued the new score difference rule should have been applied when they finished on the same number of points as Donaghmore-Ashbourne and Curraha but lost out on a knock-out place to the former on total scores after they couldn’t be separated on group score difference.

Enfield club Na Fianna are also said to be weighing up an application to the DRA as the Rule 6.21 controversy continues. Donaghmore-Ashbourne are due to face St Colmcille’s in their last-eight clash on Friday night.