*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SUNDAY’s scheduled quarter-finals in the Clare senior ladies football championship have been deferred by two weeks.
An appeal has been lodged with Complaints Objections Disciplinary and Appeals (CODA) following the third round of games played in the senior championship which took place on Sunday last.
Questions were raised following Kilmihil’s win over Kilmurry Ibrickane on whether the registration of one Kilmihil who is currently based in the United States.
Following Tuesday’s Clare LGFA meeting, the issue was redirected to CODA who have yet to release their findings which has prompted the quarter-finals to be deferred.
With Kilmihil and Banner Ladies taking the respective top spots in their Groups, it secured their direct passage to the quarter-finals which have paired St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield against St Joseph’s Miltown with Kilmurry Ibrickane to face Burren Gaels.
PRO of Clare LGFA, Rachel Healy stated, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is necessary to reschedule the remaining fixtures in the senior championship only”.
Subsequently, the senior quarter-finals and relegation play off are now fixed for September 29th, the senior semi-finals are down for decision on October 6th with the final pencilled in for October 27th.
There are potential big implications as the whole complexion of the Group A as Kilmihil could end up moving from top spot to the relegation play-off while West Clare Gaels could move from relegation to a quarter-final, Doora/Barefield would then claim top spot and secure a direct route to the semi-final while Kilmurry Ibrickane will stay in the quarter-finals regardless.
A fortnight of a delay has forced all managements and players to revise their plans and alter their preparations.
Kilmurry Ibrickane ladies football club in a statement on Sunday morning insisted, “No objection/appeal was lodged by the Kilmurry Ibrickane ladies club to any Clare LGFA authorities or individuals following the third round of games”.
They said the decision to reschedule games “was taken by Clare LGFA Executive without consultation with clubs”. The statement added, “This is a very disappointing development which was communinicated to clubs at such short notice prior to quarter-final fixtures”.
