Wheels turn slow for Forde

Gaelic Games News round-upThe inadequacy of disciplinary systems in the GAA became glaringly evident this week in the context of a potential case against Matty Forde for stamping on Offaly's Shane Sullivan in last Sunday's Leinster football semi-final. The current disciplinary bodies will be replaced next January, but that is no use to the current championship.

By close of business yesterday the Donegal referee Jimmy White had not submitted his report from the Wexford-Offaly match.

As a result the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) are unable to convene an emergency meeting to deal with the incident involving Forde and Sullivan.

The next CHC meeting is pencilled in for next Tuesday.

This means Forde is entitled to line out for Wexford in Saturday's second-round qualifier against Monaghan in Clones.

If White's report indicates he saw the Forde incident and felt he dealt with it fairly, the CHC will have no grounds to pursue the case via video evidence.

"There is still a possibility that a meeting could be convened this week but it is increasingly unlikely," said CHC chairman John O'Reilly. "We must wait until the referee's report comes in and then we may need to refer back to the referee before taking further action.

"We have to be very careful nowadays to make sure the correct procedures are adhered to. Also, the man involved is entitled to a hearing and must be given notice to attend. He may not be available, so holding a meeting before the weekend is unlikely."

The Wexford County Board chairman, Seán Quirke, confirmed Forde is available for selection against Monaghan. Quirke also expressed dissatisfaction with the replays of the incident on the Croke Park big screen.

"I was extremely disappointed with the slow-motion replay. It is not in the best interests of the players, officials or the referee.

"In my opinion it was accidental. Where else could he put his foot? He was in motion and didn't even see the man. If you look at the stills, this becomes evident.

"Also, if Matty wanted to do harm to the man he could have continued his stride and kicked him. There was no blood or injury and the player played on. This has been a trial by media."

If the relevant processes were more responsive, it could be trial by the appropriate means.

Meanwhile, the Games Administration Committee turned down a Wexford request to reschedule Saturday's game against Monaghan. It means Paul Bealin's team have only six days to recover from defeat to Offaly.

"If we could get the game put back a week, we would be more than happy to play the third-round qualifier the following weekend, presuming of course we beat Monaghan. It is a different mindset when you are winning week to week," said Quirke.

Essentially, Wexford are being punished for the Leinster Council decision to twice postpone last Sunday's game in light of the Kildare objection to Offaly's "sixth substitute" on May 28th.

Monaghan have a distinct advantage, having not played a competitive game since the June 17th victory over Wicklow in round one of the qualifiers.

"There is no possibility of putting the fixture back," said GAC chairman Jimmy Dunne. "We simply don't have the dates anymore, as we have to consider a replay. This is not our doing, as the Kildare side-event held things up.

"I have the greatest of sympathy for Wexford and have told them as much. They understood our position, but if we don't get our act together the same situation will happen again.

"With the new disciplinary structures in place next year we would be hopeful to avoid a repeat of this situation. Kildare decided to dig in and explore all their options, which is their right."

Dunne is hoping the third round of the qualifiers will be played out the following weekend (July 15th/16th) but a GAC meeting has been called for next Tuesday to "examine the full schedule" and, where possible, allow teams two weeks' preparation.

A difficulty is that the fourth-round qualifiers against the defeated provincial finalists are scheduled for July 29th and 30th.