GAA confirm Kilmacud Crokes as 2023 All-Ireland champions

KILMACUD Crokes have been formally awarded the 2023 All-Ireland Club SFC title after a meeting with the CCCC on Thursday.

It comes after a length saga that saw Glen lodge an objection following the concluding stages of their All-Ireland final defeat to the Crokes who finished the game with 17 players on the pitch as Glen launched their last attack to safe the game.

After a counter-objection from the Crokes, the GAA ordered a replay to be refixed.

Kilmacud Crokes lodged a further objection before Glen declared they were removing themselves from the process.

Following Thursday’s meeting with Kilmacud Crokes, the GAA released the following statement:

“Representatives of Kilmacud Crokes and the C.C.C.C met today to consider the implications of the decision on Friday of Watty Graham’s Glen to withdraw from the
process initiated around the 2023 AIB All-Ireland Club Football Final.

“The C.C.C.C, arising from an objection on behalf of Watty Graham’s Glen, had ordered a replay of the game on the basis that in excess of the number of players permitted were on
the field for the last play of the game.

“The C.C.C.C Decision – communicated to the two Clubs on Tuesday of last week – had made it clear that this was not a deliberate action and that no fault was attributed to
Kilmacud Crokes for the situation they found themselves in.

“Upon a request from the C.C.C.C., Kilmacud Crokes, in the interests of fully resolving the matter, today agreed to withdraw their Appeal to the Central Appeals Committee.

“A subsequent meeting of the C.C.C.C has formally awarded the 2023 All Ireland Club Championship to Kilmacud Crokes.”

Kilmacud Crokes also released a statement via their social media channels:

“We welcome today’s statement by the GAA which brings an end to what has been a very difficult two weeks for both Watty Graham’s GAC, The Glen and our own Kilmacud Crokes.

The teams, management and the family and friends of all the GAA clubs know the sacrifice, physical endurance and mental strength that is required to reach an All-Ireland Senior Club Football Final and we congratulate both clubs on their achievement.

“We would like to thank our players, the management team, volunteers and the wider membership community for their ongoing support and commitment,

“Our club will continue to move forward focused on our passion to promote the enjoyment of Gaelic games within our community and in an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment for all ages and all levels.”

Today’s decision brings down the curtain on the situation, with Crokes adding the title to the previous two titles win in 1995 (v Bellaghy) and 2009 (v Crossmaglen).

Their only other appearance in the final saw them lose last season against Kilcoo when Jerome Johnston won the game with the last kick of the game in ectra-time.