*Photograph: Joe Buckley
SUNDAY is D-Day in deciding who lifts the Maloney Hardware Premier Division title for 2024/25, the high stakes has led to controversy off the field.
Avenue Utd and Bridge Utd clash in Roslevan on Sunday morning at 11am with the winner to be crowned league champions.
In the past two weeks, Avenue Utd eliminated Newmarket Celtic and Tulla Utd from the title race with wins away from home. Since beating Bridge Utd 3-1 three weeks ago, David Russell’s side have been the top side with the most consistent performance with their focus fully on retaining their league title.
Bridge Utd have suffered the disappointment of that league defeat to Avenue which removed them from the driving seat for honours while they also exited the Clare Cup at the semi-final stage to Tulla Utd. They issued a statement with their comprehensive 6-0 win over Tulla Utd to go level on forty five points with Avenue Utd.
The Clare Echo has learned that Bridge Utd issued a complaint to the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) over the proposed appointment of Shane Hayes as referee.
His appointment is also understood to have caused friction among referees in the county who threatened to withdraw their services as linesmen.
Bridge Utd flagged a conflict of interest to the CDSL due to Hayes’ involvement in the Avenue Utd academy.
While the CDSL had been expected to stick firm with their proposed appointment, a curve ball was thrown into the mix when Bridge Utd then brought to attention of officers Article 16 in the FAI Referee Handbook which states “a referee may not officiate at a match in a league or competition if he is a member of a club or associated within the league or competition be a member of a committee within that league”.
This ruling is believed to have influenced the CDSL top table in amending the appointment of the match official after they were instructed to do so by the FAI.
Hayes took charge of Avenue Utd’s 3-0 win over Newmarket Celtic which was the reigning champions’ last outing in the league, a result which ended Newmarket’s involvement in the title race. He was also the man in the middle for Bridge’s comprehensive 6-0 win over Tulla Utd.
Sources within Bridge Utd had told The Clare Echo they were considering not fielding in the title-decider such was their anger with the proposed appointment.
Chairman of the CDSL, Jason Ryan told The Clare Echo, “the game will go ahead” and confirmed a meeting was held on Saturday evening to finalise the appointment of Paudie Hayes as the man in the middle. CDSL officials also met on Thursday night to discuss the matter.
At the other end of the table, Shannon Olympic, Kilrush Rangers and Lifford FC are all in action on Sunday against Kilkishen Celtic, Inch Crusaders and Tulla Utd respectively.
