Tinryland appeal rejected by Carlow CCC
Tinryland's Peter Hennessyon on the ball during last weekend's draw against Bagenalstown Gaels
Fears that the Carlow senior football championship quarter-finals would not go ahead over the weekend have abated after the Carlow Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) ruled that the result of the drawn third round match between Bagenalstown Gaels and Tinryland stand. The appeal took place last night (Thursday).
On Sunday, after conceding a late goal to Bagenalstown Gaels, two late points for Tinryland saw them draw level and that was how it finished in the group 2 game. The draw consigned the Wexford Road side to a relegation play-off against Éire Óg. Yet Tinryland were incensed that Niall Lowry’s 15th point was waved wide. Video evidence subsequently confirmed the ball had gone over the bar.
Tinryland had three days to make their case and on Wednesday it was confirmed that the club had lodged an appeal.
In the intervening three days there was much speculation on what might happen. Would the referee, Marion Hayden, look at the video itself and admit that a mistake had been made? Some experienced GAA people felt this was unlikely as it might set a precedent where, if appealed, every dubious decision, by the match officials could potentially change the overall result. There was also little sympathy for Tinryland from some sources, over the point that was or wasn’t, as it was felt they still had 45 minutes to win the game.
There was a chance that Bagenalstown Gaels could make a counter-appeal but this was unlikely as the club, bar a bizarre trouncing from Tinryland, were already into the knock-out stages.
It has been a nervous week for all concerned and particularly for the clubs (Fenagh, Bagenalstown Gaels, Mount Leinster Rangers and Old Leighlin who were due to play their quarter-final matches on Saturday and Sunday). Their fears of cancellations have all but died now.
Jim Bolger, the County Board Chairman, did confirm, there were structures in place at Leinster level to hear an appeal immediately if Tinryland had not accepted the decision of the Carlow CCC.
At this stage, without an official statement, the body language coming from Tinryland is that they have accepted the Carlow decision and are not taking the process any further. They still have 24 hours to change their minds but this is unlikely. That will be a big relief for all concerned and from a Tinryland point of view they will have clarity as they prepare for their relegation play-off against Éire Óg on a date still to be decided on.
