Clodiagh Gaels take advantage of controversial refixture to reach JHC final

CLODIAGH Gaels took full advantage of a controversial refixture in the Offaly Junior Hurling Championship to qualify for the final when they beat neighbours Tullamore in their semi-final clash last Sunday in Clara.

Clodiagh Gaels had been well beaten in their original semi-final a couple of weeks ago, 1-22 to 1-15 but got a second chance after it emerged that Tullamore had played two ineligible players.

Two permission players, Ger Treacy (Cappincur) and Ballycommon's Gareth Mann had played in the first game but were not legal to do so as they had not been regraded out of senior hurling It was no fault of the players who thought they were entitled to play – they hadn't played senior hurling in a couple of years but still had to be formally regraded to play a lower grade and Tullamore hadn't done that.

Clodiagh Gaels had decided against making a formal objection as this would have had huge repercussions for Tullamore – the game would have been awarded to Clodiagh Gaels and the two players and Tullamore chairman and secretary would have faced suspension.

Clodiagh Gaels had no desire to win the game in the boardroom or create trouble for any individuals – instead, they queried the status of the players with the Competitions Control Committee, who ruled that they were not entitled to play and ordered a refixture.

It was a messy, unfortunate situation for Tullamore – it is understood that the status of players had been queried by Tullamore GAA Club before the first semi-final and this was duly passed on to them but whatever happened, it didn't filter down the line to the junior hurling team management.

Gareth Mann and Ger Treacy were very good senior hurlers for Tullamore and Clodiagh Gaels took advantage of their absence to win the refixture by 0-13 to 0-11. Clodiagh Gaels will now face St Rynagh's in the final next Sunday in Birr at 2pm.