Marist to appeal Leinster quarter-final result

The management of the Marist College senior football team has confirmed their intention to object to the result of their Leinster Schools quarter-final against Naas CBS yesterday (Saturday).

The main reason for the uncertainty over the outcome is that Naas introduced six substitutes when only five are permitted.

There is a possibility that the Leinster Council's Competitions Control Committee (CCC) may order a replay based on the referee's report on the game.

There are three sanctions open to the Leinster Council - expulsion of Naas, the ordering of a replay or a fine. The first sanction appears very unlikely as it would be used for more blatant breaches such as a red-carded player coming back on. The ordering of a replay would be perceived as the far more likely option in this case.

Another complicating factor is that referee Fintan Pierce had the final scoreline down as Naas 3-13 Marist 3-10, when media personnel present in Kinnegad, and indeed the Athlone side's management, had it as 3-13 to 3-9.

This meant that when Naas struck for a goal deep in injury time (scored by substitute Fionn Cooke) the scores were actually level according to the referee, rather than the Marist being one behind.

Had the Marist camp realised they were level by the referee's count, they would have adjusted their tactical approach in order to try and hold out for a draw (which would have earned extra-time), instead of pushing up in search of an equaliser.

Naas scored a point and the decisive last-gasp goal after they had illegally made a sixth substitution.

There was no indication that any of the subs were temporary or blood subs - that scenario would have permitted them to make an additional change.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this evening (Sunday), Eoin Jordan - a member of the Marist management alongside Paul Kelly and John Parker - confirmed their intention to object to the result, if necessary.

"As things stand, we're out of the competition but we're waiting on word from the Leinster Council. We may not have to put in an objection depending on what the Leinster Council CCC decides to do based on the referee's report. But if the Leinster Council doesn't order a replay, we will put in an objection based on the number of subs Naas used,” said Jordan.

"We knew coming into Saturday's game that Naas are probably the strongest team left in the competition. But we’d be happy to play the game again and have another crack at it if given the chance and if Naas beat us again, more luck to them," he added.

As for Saturday’s game itself, the Marist found it tough to cope with the physical strength of a well-balanced Naas outfit without any discernible weaknesses.

But the Marist will have regrets over conceding a soft second goal (one of two scored by threatening forward Kevin Cummins). And if Marist are granted a replay, they will hope to improve in a number of areas.

Yet, thanks to the brilliance of Senan Baker (Caulry) and two well-taken goals by Conor Hand (St Brigid's), the Marist stayed in touch.

And when the game seemed to have slipped away, a goal from substitute Tom Kelleher (Tubberclair) and a point from fellow sub Chulainn Dowd (Athlone) ensured a tense finish.

The aforementioned Kelleher did not start the game due to a groin injury and the Marist camp will be hoping he will fit enough to start a potential rematch.

SCORERS - Naas CBS: K Cummins 2-5 (0-2f); F Cooke 1-0; S Broderick and D McPartlin (1f, 1 '45') 0-2 each; R Fitzgerald, C Dalton, N Dolan and G Thompson (f) 0-1 each. Marist College: C Hand 2-1 (0-1 '45), S Baker 0-6 (4f); T Kelleher 1-0, M Whittaker and C Dowd 0-1 each.

Naas CBS: David McPartlin; Darragh Jameson, Charlie Murphy, Tim Ryan; Jack McKevitt, Fionn Tully, Rob Fitzgerald; Dara Crowley, Daire Guerin; Seán Broderick, Colm Dalton, Jack Taaffe; Kevin Cummins, Gavin Thompson, Niall Dolan. Subs used: Fionn Cooke for Taaffe (h-t), Daniel Lenihan for Ryan (45 mins), Elliot Beirne for Dolan (52), Tom McGrane for Broderick (57), Austin Brennan for Guerin (60), Eoin Clarke for McKevitt (62).

Marist College, Athlone: Andrew Stuart Trainor; Josh Kenny, Daniel Meeley, Jack Mulvihill; Michael Henry, Oisín Flynn, Paddy Higgins; Tadhg Baker, Senan Baker; Conor Hand, Shane Lawless, Matthew Whittaker; Oisín Shortall, Bobby Nugent, John Martin. Subs used: Owen McNamara for Flynn (h-t), Tom Kelleher for Martin (43 mins), Chulainn Dowd for T Baker (60).

Referee: Fintan Pierce (Offaly).