DONEGAL GAA REFEREES have been urged to lodge their match reports on time to the Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) after serious issues were raised with the lateness of some submissions.
The case of Diarmuid McInerney, an Aodh Ruadh player, was highlighted at this afternoon’s annual County Convention to outline the difficulties being experienced.
McInerney was handed a six-month ban for playing while under suspension, despite the referee in question having admitted that he erred in sending off the player.
McInerney was sent off in an All-County League Division 3 game against Naomh Bríd and played in the following game against Burt, a fixture won by Aodh Ruadh.
CCC Secretary Declan Martin had noted in his report ‘a number of occasions’ on which his committee couldn’t issue disciplinary notices on time because of the referee’s report coming through late.
“We suffered very heavily as a result,” said Aodh Ruadh delegate John Travers.
“The player was sent off in the wrong and the referee accepted that he was wrong and had made a mistake. He assured the player that it would be addressed. He subsequently contacted the club and said he had made a mistake.
“There was no disciplinary notice in and he played against Burt in the next game. We won the game and Burt objected, as they are entitled to do. The referee’s report was sought and in that report the referee said that he made an error.
“The CCC investigated and the player suspended for six months and the club was fined €200.
“Surely we could be forgiven when the referee admitted his mistake?”
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