Glen and Kilmacud Croke's look set to do it all again after a replay of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football final has been ordered by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), following a hearing on Monday night.
The Dublin and Leinster champions claimed the All-Ireland club title for the third time in their history, with a two-point win over Derry representatives Glen.
Controversy has raged since the decider, played on Sunday 22 January in Croke Park, as Kilmacud Croke's were deemed to have 17 players on the field during the final few moments of the game, and 16 actively involved in the last play.
Paul Mannion, replaced by Tom Fox, remained on the field, although admittedly close to the sideline and had no input in the game, when Danny Tallon lined up his late 45 attempt.
However, it was the positioning of corner forward Dara Mullin, who was replaced by Conor Casey, that caused the dispute that followed.
Mullin failed to leave the field when Casey was introduced and lined up on the goal line as Glen attacked from a 45, in the hope of grabbing a goal that would win them the game as they trailed by two points, 1-11 to 1-9.
Tallon’s low effort found Conleith McGuckian who fired a shot towards goal and was inches away from being placed into the net by full back Ryan Dougan.
Speaking straight after the game, Glen boss Malachy O’Rourke said of an appeal, “I can’t speak for the club or anything else but I don’t think that’s how the club operates.
“We had our chances; we gave it our best shot. Look it, that shouldn’t happen. I can’t speak for the club, but I just think we’ll accept we got beat on the day.”
However, the Watty Graham’s club lodged an objection to the GAA on the Tuesday night after the game, with Kilmacud Croke's subsequently submitting a counter-objection last Friday night.
Following a hearing on Monday night, the CCCC ordered a replay and Kilmacud now have three days to appeal the decision to the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee.
A statement released yesterday by the GAA stated “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 Riail6.44 (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.
If either club is objects to the CHC's decision, they can pursue the matter further with a final appeal to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
The penalties for breaching the relevant Rule 6.44 that deals with a team having more than 15 players on the pitch included the awarding of the game to the opposing team, for the game to be replayed, or a fine.
