GAA Committee Rules That AIB Final be replayed

The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee has ruled that the AIB All Ireland Club Football Final between Kilmacud Crokes and Watty Graham’s Gle should be replayed.

The committee heard from both clubs last night and has now notified both of their decision to uphold the Derry Side’s objection based on Kilmacud Crokes having more then the permitted number of players on the pitch during the final minute of the game when Glen were searching for the goal that would have won the game.

Amid all the talk and speculation it was always likely that this would be the outcome, with the other two options of forfeiture or fine either too much or too little.

Each club now has a three-day window in which to accept the decision or request an appeal, which would then be heard ultimately by the GAA’s own independent Disputes Resolution Authority.

Again there are three possible outcomes.

Either the ruling is accepted and a suitable date in the diary is found to accommodate the game; an appeal is lodged based on some mitigating factor that would counter the obvious and not contested breach; or Crokes would refuse to play and hand back the trophy.

This latter option has gathered momentum around Kilmacud members in recent days but in the cold light of day, it would be the wrong choice, making the club appear like something of a spoilt child. It could also open them up to potential further sanction potentially being removed from either the national or the county Championship on the grounds of bringing it into disrepute.

Nothing about this incident has been particularly fair since the referee on the day failed to order the ’45 to be retaken at the moment.

Now that a replay has been ordered the best thing is to suck it up and play again. To do so and win would create legendary status within the club for the group of players and management. To do so and lose could always be put down to the unfairness.

Failing to take the field though cuts to the heart of what sport is and should be.

We are confident that the game will be played, much less so about when, with County commitments, holiday plans and wedding parties to be factored into the mix.