Kildare miss the point

NEWS: The Kildare County Board said yesterday they were disappointed with - but accepted - the GAC decision to deduct the point they earned in a draw with Sligo in the Allianz National Football League game on February 11th.

The points were awarded to Sligo in accordance with Rule 109 of the GAA Official Guide after it was found that Kildare had used six substitutes.

Kildare PRO Syl Merrins said: "Overall, the Kildare County Board is disappointed that this issue has dragged on for so long, we felt it could have been dealt with more quickly. Certainly, we would have preferred a smarter resolution."

He stressed that the Kildare mentors had not consciously breached the regulations during the game and had twice checked with the game's fourth official to seek clarification that their substitutions corresponded to the rules. The confusion arose over a series of blood substitutions with the consequence that the home side used one above the maximum of five personnel.

"It certainly wasn't an issue of us trying to pull a fast one. And, unfortunately, the official misinformed us during the match. We are also disappointed that the copy of the original referee's report that we received appears to differ from that which was subsequently used in dealing with this case. But we do accept that that report is final and consider the matter closed now."

The loss of that point further constricts the oxygen level in the extremely tight Division 1B, where five teams are seeking the remaining play-off spot.

Offaly's uneven campaign continues with the bad news that forward Vinny Claffey will serve a 12-week suspension following his dismissal nine minutes from the end of a 1-11 to 1-4 loss to Tyrone. Claffey, who scored 1-1 in that game, was dismissed after striking with his foot at the end of a robust match.

Westmeath will have to plan for the crucial part of their league campaign without All Star midfielder Rory O'Connell, who is out for the next fortnight after his sending-off in the home loss against Donegal. Luke Dempsey's side face a daunting visit to Tyrone at the weekend.

Tipperary footballer Tommy Ormonde will serve a month for an indiscretion against Wexford on March 10th and Wicklow hurler Wayne Gorman will sit out two months following his dismissal against Laois on March 9th.

Leinster club champions Rathnew were yesterday informed that their players Trevor Doyle and Tommy Gill will serve 12 weeks each arising from incidents in their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Ballinderry on February 24th. Video evidence appeared to capture the Rathnew duo kicking out at opponents.

Rathnew officials contended that Gill was kicking at the ball and that Doyle had retaliated to a foul on him.