For the second week in a row, Kilmacud Crokes have three days to respond to a challenge made against the legitimacy of their All-Ireland senior final victory last Sunday week.
The Dublin club have until Friday to request an appeal after the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) upheld Glen’s objection that their opponents had breached a rule and ordered a replay take place.
Following a hearing in Croke Park on Monday evening where each club made 15-minute objection and counter-objection arguments in front of the CCCC, the GAA’s national fixtures body reserved judgement until Tuesday morning when they convened again.
Shortly after 11am, they emailed both clubs to confirm their decision that Rule 2.1 of the playing rules had been broken. As was obviously proven, Crokes were found to have had more than 15 players on the field in second-half stoppage time as Dara Mullin had not left the field having been replaced by Conor Casey.
The statement from the GAA that followed read: “Following meetings of CCCC last night and this morning, the objection of CLG Gleann Machaire Ratha as per Riail 7.10 (n) T.O. has been upheld as it is proven that CLG Cill Mochuda na Crócaigh exceeded the number of players permitted under Riail 2.1 Rules of Specification, Playing Rules (Treoir Oifigiúil Cuid II).
“In accordance with Riail 6.44 (b) (i) T.O. Cuid I, the penalty imposed by An Coiste is “Replay of Game”. A three-day window, from the time of notification, exists to request an Appeal.”
Usually, the Central Hearings Committee would be the next disciplinary body to field the case. However, the CCCC are empowered to hear objections and counter objections and should Crokes exercise their right to appeal it will go to the Central Appeals Committee. In the event they are called on uphold the CCCC’s decision, the remaining avenue for the Stillorgan club is the independent Disputes Resolution Authority.
Reflecting Crokes’ right to appeal
