Junior ‘A’ Camogie finale remains in limbo

By Shane Brophy

The saga over the outcome of the County Junior ‘A’ Camogie Championship is dragging on following appeals and counter-appeals.

Following St. Rita's Fethard's successful appeal to the Camogie Association at national level, Tipperary Camogie sanctioned a rematch of the county semi-final against Gortnahoe/Glengoole next Saturday, 14th November.

However, that fixture has now been cancelled after Gortnahoe/Glengoole Camogie Club exercised its right to lodge an appeal with the final National Appeals Committee.

The delay has arisen following a dispute over the outcome of the semi-final between Gortnahoe/Glengoole and St Rita's Fethard, which took place on September 26th last.

The sides could not be separated after normal time or extra time, meaning the contest was decided by a shootout of 45s, in accordance with regulations outlined by Tipperary Camogie prior to the commencement of the championship.

Gortnahoe emerged victorious, seemingly booking their place in the county final against Kiladangan who had beaten Moyle Rovers in their semi-final earlier in that day. However, the result was subsequently challenged by St Rita's, who appealed to Tipperary Camogie Board on the grounds that the game should have been decided by penalty shots rather than 45s.

The Camogie Association's national regulations allow for either penalties or 45s to be used to determine the outcome of games, with the choice of which method to use left to the discretion of individual county boards.

Tipperary Camogie had contacted all notified clubs prior to the start of the championship, outlining that 45s would be used to decide games in the event of a draw, exercising the discretion afforded to county boards under the national regulations.

St Rita's were initially successful in their appeal to Tipperary Camogie, but that decision was subsequently challenged by Gortnahoe/Glengoole, who appealed to Munster Camogie who overturned the decision of Tipperary Camogie Board, seemingly clearing the way for Gortnahoe/Glengoole to take their place in the final.

However, St Rita's appealed that decision to the national Camogie body in which they were successful with Gortnahoe/Glengoole now exercising their right of appeal.

It all means that Kiladangan’s remain in limbo due to a lengthy hold up which is now stretching towards eight weeks.