'The referee’s official scorecard can no longer be relied upon' - Ballinora concerns after appeals process

Video evidence was used in a score discrepency controversy involving the club.

Ballinora say they “strongly feel that the underlying issues were not fully addressed by the appeals process”. Picture: John Hannon

Ballinora have issued a detailed and strongly worded statement to The Echo after their appeal to the Munster Council Hearing Committee failed to overturn the Cork GAA CCC ruling that awarded their McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC Group 3 Round 3 tie to Fermoy.

The club’s final avenue of challenge closed last Monday night, confirming that the corrected result — a 0-22 to 2-15 Fermoy victory — now stands and that Fermoy progress to tomorrow’s quarter final against Rockchapel.

The controversy stems from a scoring discrepancy in referee Wayne King’s report from the September 12th fixture in Glenville. Video evidence later confirmed that a 30th-minute point from Ben Twomey, followed shortly afterwards by a two-point effort from the same player, had not been fully reflected in the half-time tally.

The correction moved Fermoy from nine points to 10 at the interval, ultimately shifting the final margin by a single point.

Ballinora had expressed “huge disappointment” with the initial ruling, but their latest statement — issued on Saturday morning to The Echo goes further, outlining concerns they believe carry ramifications for the GAA nationally.

The full Ballinora statement read: “Ballinora GAA would like to issue a further statement following significant recent commentary in respect of the Ballinora v Fermoy game on September 12th.

"The game was awarded to Fermoy on foot of a post-match objection to the Cork Competitions Control Committee. As recently publicised Ballinora were unsuccessful in its appeal to the Munster Council Hearing Committee on Monday 21st September in respect of same. Ballinora strongly feel that the underlying issues were not fully addressed by the appeals process.

"Due to what we believe are significant points arising that impact every game that is being played in the country at all levels we feel that we need to state publicly our key concerns and views. We cannot get into the specifics of the case at this stage until matters are fully settled but wish to publicly highlight certain key general points.

"One issue that has emerged is that the referee’s official score card can no longer be relied upon in any match, at any grade, throughout the country and beyond by players playing to that score on the pitch. Are clubs expected to video every match to track and be able to confirm the actual live score? This will add more cost to what is after all an amateur sport.

"Secondly while the relevant authorities made their decision in isolation to one rule, the knock-on effect is that they have now set a precedent where the use of video evidence can be used to change the result of a match, in a situation where two match officials including the referee has already dealt with the issue at the time.

"The Munster Council by their ruling on the appeal have now in our view copper fastened that the GAA are satisfied for the results of matches to be decided by video evidence in certain circumstances. We believe that both items are very damaging and have serious potential ramifications for the organisation.

"We would request that as a minimum this is opened for further review by the association as the law that was applied in this case is not we respectfully feel a good one.

"We again thank the many people and clubs across the county and country who have strongly supported us on this issue. We will not be making any further public statements until further notice.

"Yours in Sport, Ballinora GAA Club & Premier Intermediate Football Team & Management."