The controversial AIB All Ireland Club Football Final has taken its next twist in the road with Watty Graham’s Glen confirming last night that they will lodge an objection to Kilmacud Croke’s win.
The Dublin side had 17 players on the field at the end of the game with 16 in the mix as a final attack was launched by the Derry side, seeking a goal to win.
Kilcoo did just that, scoring to deprive Kilmacud at the same stage last year, and if you had written a script about what happened this year we might have been celebrating another Oscar nomination.
It might not have impacted on the result but there is an argument that it could. The best thing would have been to have recognised the error, forced the extra players to leave, and then ordered the ’45 kick and subsequent attack to be replayed.
That didn’t happen so now the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee will meet to discuss the objection and make a ruling. In the rules, there are three options open to them. Forfeiture of the game would be too severe, a fine would bee seen as too light so the odds on favourite is a replay.
Speaking to a number of Kilmacud Crokes members throughout yesterday there was an acceptance that this was the most likely outcome and not seen as being unfair.
The reaction of most of the country to a Dublin club winning in these circumstances would cast a shadow and the players and the club deserve better than that.
If the replay is granted there would still be an opportunity for Kilmacud to appeal that so it would most likely be played the Bank Holiday weekend at the earliest or maybe later to sort out logistics for venues, broadcasters, and the players themselves who have been full on committed to the campaign since last summer.
Then again the path of this game has not been without a few hairpins and we will have to wait before booking any tickets.
