Cork IT appeal haults Sigerson Cup
The decision by Cork IT to appeal against the eligibility of Garda College players Michael Cussen, Aidan O'Mahony and Graham Dillon has thrown the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup into chaos it has emerged tonight.
The Cork college who hosted last weekend's Fitzgibbon Cup hurling competition to great acclaim, were defeated yesterday in the Sigerson Cup Quarter-final by Garda College, who were reinstated into the competition on Monday after an appeal against the eligibility of Dillon by IT Carlow was dismissed.
The trio, who are Senior inter-county players have had doubts cast on their eligibility and Comhairle Ardoideachais Chairman John Devaney tonight confirmed that an appeal has been lodged, which now means the Sigerson Cup semi-finals will not take place as scheduled on Friday afternoon in IT Carlow.
However the DIT/UUJ semi-final will take place on Saturday evening in place of the showpiece decider.
"There was little option for CA but to reschedule," Devaney said.
"However, it was important for us to maintain the integrity of this year's Sigerson Cup competition, and we feel that the positioning of the UUJ v DIT semi final for Saturday evening and the continuation of all other elements of the weekend plans will do this."
"The UUJ v DIT game will be a showcase game in itself and should be worthy of any occasion."
Comhairle Ardoideachais will now be charged with hearing the Cork IT appeal, which is likely to take place in the next 48 hours.
Devaney added: "Comhairle Ardoideachais will now consider the objections which we have received, and will be keen to expedite the matter so that the concluding stages of the Sigerson Cup can happen quite soon.
"We have to be prepared for the fact that such things can happen in the GAA and in sport, but all parties can understand the predicament that CA was in."
Weekend hosts IT Carlow will kick-start their activities tomorrow night with a GAA Presidential Debate at 7.30pm at the college, while the Trench Cup semi-finals, and the finals of the Trench, Corn na Mac Leinn and Further Education Championship competitions will go ahead as scheduled on Friday and Saturday.
