No minor matter as Limerick object to Galway win

THE Limerick minor hurlers are due to return to training tomorrow night (Saturday) despite being knocked out of the championship by Galway in a gripping All-Ireland semi-final which went to extra time at Croke Park last Sunday.

It’s the latest twist in a remarkable turn of events after Hawk Eye, the GAA’s new computerised scoring detection system, suffered a malfunction in the opening moments of the match and led to a legitimate Limerick point being declared a miss.

A closely fought semi-final went all the way to extra time, but the young Tribesmen eventually carried the day by 0-23 to 0-20 after finally breaking free from Limerick’s shackles by shooting the closing four points of Sunday’s stirring duel 

Initially, it appeared Limerick were going to be ‘good sports’ about their unfortunate bad luck as illustrated by the immediate post-match comments of team manager, Brian Ryan, but the county’s attitude quickly hardened and have now led to an objection to the match result being lodged with the CCCC (Central Competitions Controls Committee).

Fears that Limerick’s appeal which could be pursued as far as the CAC (Central Appeals Committee) and the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority) could lead to a delay in the staging of the All-Ireland minor final have been allayed by Croke Park – a GAA spokesman emphasising that these hearings would be expedited in such a manner as to ensure the game went ahead on schedule.

The only way the final could be delayed was if Limerick sought a High Court injunction – an unlikely scenario – to prevent the game taking place after exhausting their objection through the GAA appeals process.

No date has yet been set for the CCCC’s hearing of Limerick’s appeal and with no provision in the GAA’s rule book for awarding refixtures in the event of disputed scores, the odds are stacked against the Munster championship enjoying a successful outcome to their objection – though Limerick will present a strong case on the basis that the unprecedented involvement of Hawk Eye in the controversy is not legislated for in the official Clár.

Galway are already coming under moral pressure to offer a replay, but the description ‘zero chance’ of that scenario unfolding by a Hurling Committee member means that what would amount to a huge gesture of goodwill is a complete non-runner.

CEO of the County Board, John Hynes, summed up Galway’s attitude. “We empathise fully with Limerick’s position and the situation they find themselves, but Galway is not a party to their appeal. We won the semi-final by three points after extra time and our focus now is on preparing the team for the All-Ireland final.”

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.