Clubs county board bury hatchet as MHC final goes ahead
The controversial 2015 Westmeath minor hurling final is to go ahead this Monday (Bank Holiday Monday), October 26, after county GAA officials "amicably" resolved a dispute with Clonkill and Raharney.
The clubs made national headlines last weekend when they boycotted the fixture pencilled in as a curtain-raiser to last Sunday's senior hurling final.
As both clubs were involved at both grades, an overlap of players led Clonkill and Raharney officials to seek a postponement from the county board. They argued that some players would be forced to play at least 120 minutes in two consecutive games on the same day.
The county board refused however, saying that while minor fixtures were a matter for the minor CCC, the running of minor finals before the senior was a policy decided at convention last year.
However, the county's CCC issued the following statement today (Friday): “We regret any inconvenience to patrons at last Sunday’s county final. We were acting in good faith in following the wishes of clubs at last year’s County Convention.
"It has subsequently been shown that convention did not have that power and that fixtures are the reserve of the Minor Committee’s CCC.”
In a joint statement, signed by both clubs, Clonkill and Raharney apologised for not fielding in the Westmeath minor hurling final on Sunday and accepted that Coiste na nÓg CCC is the ruling body in this matter.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to spectators, administrators and match officials as a result of the game not going ahead.
"We again ask that the game be re-fixed in the interest of the players and for the benefit of Westmeath hurling,” the statement read.
Westmeath County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan said: “The most important people here are the young players and we’re delighted that Coiste na nÓg CCC has been able to come to an arrangement with both clubs and that this matter has been resolved amicably in the best interest of the promotion and development of hurling. Ar aghaidh linn le chéile.”
The throw-in for the minor final is this Monday at 1pm in Cusack Park, with Raharney looking to make amends for last weekend's senior final defeat, and Clonkill still in the running for a clean sweep from U16 to senior.