South Tipp U14 semi-final controversy continues after club decline refixture

Controversy has surrounded the conclusion of the South Tipperary U14A Hurling Championship semi-final between St Mary’s and Mullinahone, played earlier this week.

The issue stems from the original semi-final in Monroe last Monday evening, September 14, when proceedings were temporarily stopped during the second half because of poor visibility and difficult weather conditions.

The game was paused approximately 17 minutes into the second half, with the match referee leaving the field to seek advice from the South Board over whether conditions were suitable for the game to continue. Both teams went to their respective dressing rooms while a decision was awaited.

It is understood that approximately ten minutes later, following consultation with the South Board, the match referee informed both management teams that he was satisfied for the game to resume after conditions had improved.

Mullinahone raised concerns over returning to the field, with player welfare understood to have been central to their decision not to resume the game.

Following further discussions involving the match referee and representatives of both management teams, both teams were instructed to return to the field. St Mary’s subsequently returned, while Mullinahone did not.

It is understood that Mullinahone maintained that the game had already been abandoned, while the match official indicated at the time that proceedings had only been temporarily halted while advice was sought on the conditions.

In an extraordinary sequence of events, the game was subsequently restarted with only St Mary’s on the field.

Play resumed from a St Mary’s free, after which the Clonmel side scored a goal before the full-time whistle was blown. Those present understood St Mary’s to have been awarded the game at that point.

However, the subsequent match report is understood to have differed from the account of events outlined above, and the matter was subsequently considered by the South Tipperary Juvenile Board.

The South Board subsequently ordered that the semi-final be refixed for Thursday evening, September 17.

St Mary’s did not fulfil Thursday night's refixture, with the club's position understood to be that their players had followed the instructions of the match official throughout Monday's game and that they had been informed on the night that they had won the fixture. They have decided not to appeal the result.

As a result, Mullinahone will progress to the South U14A final, where they are scheduled to face Killenaule in Grangemockler on Saturday afternoon.