Longford GAA champions Killoe Young Emmets have been hit with a 48-week ban over the failure to pay a €750 fine that was imposed by the Longford GAA Hearings Committee back in February.
The midlands clubs now face the prospect of playing no matches from Under-16 level up to senior until the summer of 2021 should the ban be fully implemented according to the Longford Leader.
The fine follows on from a sanction issued after an investigation by the Longford Competitions Control Committee into just one team appearing at a County Under-16 ‘A final on January 5th between Killoe and St Colmcille’s/St Francis.
The club feel harshly treated and will begin the process of appealing the penalty. They said they contacted the county board prior to the game stating that they would not be fulfilling the fixture.
This was due to an investigation into another issue relating to the same competition which the club said had not been dealt with.
This did not stop the Longford GAA Hearings Committee pressing ahead with the decision to recommend the 48 weeks suspension
With the fine due to be paid before July 31st, the Killoe club is now at a standstill until the appeal is heard by the Leinster GAA Hearings Committee.
"Emmet Og GAA Club and everyone attached to the Killoe club are extremely angry at the rigid application of the rules in this instance, which has given no regard to the upheaval and challenges that the Covid-19 global pandemic has caused to all sectors of our society, in particular to voluntary organisations like the GAA." said Killoe club chairman, Gerry Hagan.
The reigning county champions subsequently started their defence of the Connolly Cup with a win over Clonguish on Friday August 7th and are set to play Mostrim on August 21st.
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