Laois face prospect of replay with Armagh over use of replacements

Laois footballers are facing the prospect of having to re-play their All-Ireland qualifier against Armagh after the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee discussed evidence that the county had fielded seven replacements during the course of Saturday's qualifier win against Armagh.

The sanctions for playing too many substitutes range from forfeiture to a replay to a fine.

The rule book specifies that only six replacements may be brought on in football unless a blood substitute is among them. Having made six substitutions Laois manager Mick Lillis is seen – the match was broadcast live on RTE – to bring on Shane Murphy with 60 seconds left in injury-time as a replacement for Brendan Quigley, who had received a black card.

During the remaining time Ross Munnelly scored the insurance point to put Laois three ahead, 1-10 to 0-10, the final score.

The uncertainty surrounding the fixture will impact on round two of the qualifiers in which Laois had been drawn to play Clare in what would have been a double bill between the counties, who were also drawn against each other in the hurling qualifiers.

A busy CCCC meeting also had to consider the venues, dates and times for the next round of the qualifiers. This task was complicated by the decision of Ulster Council to fix the Tyrone-Cavan semi-final replay for Sunday week, July 3rd, rather than next weekend, which will cause delay for the qualifier series.

It was also confirmed by Munster Council that the provincial hurling final between Tipperary and Waterford will be staged in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds on 10th July. SFC Qualifiers Round 2A: Sligo v Leitrim, Clare v Laois, Cavan/Tyrone v Carlow, Derry v Dublin/Meath. SHC Qualifiers Round 1: Wexford v Offaly, Westmeath v Limerick, Clare v Laois, Cork v Dublin.