Cork IT hold key to Sigerson resolution

THE HIGHER education committee, Comhairle Ardoideachais (CA), were awaiting a decision from Cork IT last night as they attempt to bring closure to the disrupted Sigerson Cup competition.

There have been several objections to the eligibility of three Garda College players - Graham Dillon, Michael Cussen and Aidan O'Mahony - with the Disputes Resolution Authority already providing a green light for Dillon to play in the semi-final against GMIT.

Cork IT, who Garda defeated en route to the semi-final, have yet to decide whether to object to O'Mahony and Cussen, who both featured in last year's All-Ireland final for Kerry and Cork respectively, or simply let the matter lie.

This would allow the CA to reschedule the last two matches in a competition that was supposed to be played over a fortnight ago in Carlow IT. Either way, the 2008 version of this competition has been irrevocably tarnished.

CIT were widely expected not to continue their case to the DRA as, if successful, Cork football may have to plan without Cussen for up to three months.

"If a player is found ineligible in our section, they are liable to be suspended across the board," said CA chair John Devaney.

The final two games, UUJ are waiting in the final, are becoming a nightmare to schedule as the under-21 provincial championships and senior inter-county commitments now take priority for most players. Accommodating GMIT, who are not at fault in this ongoing process, is particularly difficult as they have a number of players on the Donegal under-21s, who also played last night.

Meanwhile, the fallout from the Dublin and Monaghan match last Sunday, when Monaghan forward Tommy Freeman was allegedly assaulted by a member of the Dublin backroom team, continued yesterday with Monaghan chairman John Connolly defending his comments and those of midfielder Dick Clerkin.

Both men spoke this week about the lack of stewarding at Parnell Park, which they claimed denied Monaghan players the chance to warm-down immediately after the match and led to several verbal clashes with Dublin spectators on the field.

Dublin county board chairman Gerry Harrington subsequently stated that "there is never any difficulties with teams warming down" at Parnell Park. However, the Monaghan team did leave the pitch a few minutes after the game before returning when the crowd had dispersed. Harrington also claimed the number of stewards was adequate and that several gardai were employed by the county board at the fixture.

"I'm surprised that a man of his stature would make such comments," said Connolly. "There are no bones about it; there was no stewarding evident at Parnell Park last Sunday.

"I know some of the stewards who work in the Croke Park VIP lounge were there because I know them to see but not that many stewards are required in that area. There was not enough stewards on duty. It was not adequate."