Kilmacud Crokes are set to launch a counter-objection to the GAA over the All-Ireland senior club football final.
The game had an extremely controversial finish on Sunday when Crokes ended the day with too many players on the pitch. Glen have since lodged an objection to the association, on the basis of a breach of the rule 6.44 (b) (i) of the GAA’s Official Guide Part I, for a team exceeding the number of players permitted
The penalty for said breach ‘can result in either the award of the game to the opposing team, or replay, or fine, depending on the circumstances.’ It is deemed that awarding the game to Glen wouldn’t be a fair response so therefore, Kilmacud Crokes would look to be facing either a fine or a replay.
A report from John Fogarty in the Irish Examiner has today shone light on the lay of the land in Stillorgan, where the club appear to have no interest whatsoever in a replay.
“Sources suggest they would rather return the cup than play the game again,” it read.
There had been reports earlier in the week that, if the game was to be replayed, it would go ahead as a double-header with Kildare-Dublin in Croke Park this weekend, but that no longer seems a possibility.
Indeed, it is anticipated that there is plenty of life left in this saga yet, with projected appeals from Kilmacud Crokes expected to bring the case not just to the CCCC, but to the CAC, which is the next stage in the appeals process.
If a replay is still deemed the fairest solution at that stage, then Crokes have the option to go to the DRA, which is deemed the last resort in GAA disputes. It was the DRA (Disputes Regulation Authority) which famously allowed Diarmuid Connolly play in the replayed 2015 All-Ireland semi-final v Mayo.
