The timeline of Glen’s decision to lodge appeal

By Michael McMullan

THE fallout from Sunday’s All-Ireland Club final continues after Glen filed an objection to the GAA’s CCCC over their defeat to Kilmacud Crokes.

In a statement, sent to Gaelic Life on Tuesday night, Glen confirmed they lodged their objection at 11pm, ahead of the Wednesday’s 3.30pm deadline.

“Watty Graham’s GAC will lodge an objection to the CCCC in relation to the outcome of last Sunday’s All-Ireland club final,” read a concise statement.

The Derry champions’ objection comes after Kilmacud Crokes had 17 players on the pitch during the last play of the game which saw Danny Tallon’s 45 lead to Conleth McGuckian’s goal chance going wide of the post.

It was Glen’s last chance, with referee Derek O’Mahoney sounding his final whistle on Conor Ferris’ kick-out, 64 seconds after the allotted three minutes of stoppage time was played.

The Watties lost the game at Croke Park 1-11 to 1-9 in a dramatic finale that saw Conor Glass having a late snapshot saved by Ferris leading to Tallon’s 45.

Kilmacud Crokes’ substitutes Tom Fox (for Paul Mannion) and Conor Casey (for Dara Mullin) came on seconds apart – in that order – inside the 65 seconds between Ferris making the save and referee O’Mahoney signalling Tallon to take the kick.

By that point Mannion had made his way from behind the Hill 16 goals towards the sideline, well out of the action area, just before Tallon took the kick.

Mullin remained on the goalline before walking off the pitch as the final whistle was sounded.

“Obviously it does make a difference, the more men they have in there, the harder it is for us to get a score out of it,” manager Malachy O’Rourke said at the press conference after the game.

“We did ask the fourth official to get the free (45) retaken but it didn’t happen.

When asked if an objection was something to be pursued, he gave the following response:

“I can’t speak for the club or anything else. But I don’t think that’s the way the club operates. We had our chances; we gave it our best shot. That shouldn’t happen but at the same time I can’t speak for the club but I just think we’ll accept that we got beat on the day,” he added, just minutes after the game.

Speaking to Gaelic Life on Sunday night, Glen Chairman Barry Slowey confirmed the club would seek clarification and study footage from the game.

“We will be seeking clarification from the GAA and check all facts before we make any decision on the way forward and it will be a joint decision between the club and the management.”

The penalty for breach of Rule 6.44 (b) (1) – where a team exceeds 15 players – from the GAA Official Guide is:

On a proven Objection – Award of Game to the Opposing Team, or Replay, or Fine, depending on the circumstances.

On an Inquiry by the Committee-in-Charge – Forfeiture of Game without Award of Game to the Opposing Team, or Replay, or Fine, depending on the circumstances

Gaelic Life contacted the GAA on Monday afternoon for clarification if any decision had been taken on the matter. No statement was available, but the CCCC would consider a Glen objection lodged by 3.30pm on Wednesday, three days after the throw-in of the game.

The club released a statement on their social media channels on Monday night highlighting they were “extremely disappointed” and would take time to “ascertain” their next step.

“The GAA have reverted to us today to say that without an official objection from Watty Graham’s they will not review this matter,” the statement outlined.

“This is extremely disappointing for our club to be placed in this position and we must now take a short period of time to ascertain our stance going forward.”

Following meetings on Tuesday, the club lodged their objection to Croke Park.

It’s understood the GAA forwarded Glen’s objection to Kilmacud Crokes on Wednesday morning and the Dublin side have three days to make a counter objection.