The long-running saga surrounding the 2020 Donegal senior football championship has finally come to a conclusion, and it is fair to say that beaten finalists Kilcar (CLG Chill Chartha) are none too pleased with the outcome.
The Covid-delayed 2020 final was eventually played in August of last year, with the match going into extra-time before Naomh Conaill came through a shoot-out to secure the title.
An appeal was lodged by Kilcar, however, as the champions used four substitutes during extra-time, as opposed to the regulation three during the additional period of play.
The Donegal CCC initially ordered a replay of the final, however, that decision was overturned when taken to the provincial CCC, who ordered the process to begin again.
And now, following another meeting of the county CCC, Naomh Conaill have been handed a fine of €5,000 but are allowed to hold onto their title.
Kilcar were incensed and have released a strongly worded statement, stressing that they hold the decision in "utter contempt" but also deciding that it is in the club's best interest to opt against appealing the decision and look ahead to the 2022 championship.
"We are shocked and appalled that the decision arising from this finding has imposed what we consider to be the most lenient of penalties, a paltry monetary fine," read the Kilcar statement.
"This decision has the material effect of awarding a Donegal Senior Championship title to a club that has been found to be in breach of the CLG playing rules.
"We are of the opinion that this decision risks setting a dangerous precedent that has potential to cause irreparable damage to the integrity of the Donegal Senior Championship - a competition that has been to date, held in the highest esteem by all clubs within the county – and to our games generally.
"Furthermore, the decision is completely undermining, in our view, of the GAA's Code of Behaviour (Underage). This sends a terrible message out to the young people in whom all our clubs work consistently to nurture the core values of integrity, honourable sportsmanship and fair-play, in line with the fundamental values cherished in the Association from its foundation.
"CLG Chill Chartha holds this decision, therefore, in utter contempt. However, distasteful as it is, we have decided that to appeal the decision further would not be in our club’s, our players’, our members’ and our supporters’, or the Association’s best interests."
