The Longford football championship was throw into some confusion on Sunday after an alleged phantom point in Saturday’s meeting of Carrickedmond and Mullinalaghta.
Carrickedmond produced an inspiring comeback to draw 2-12 a-piece. The result saw both teams go through to the quarter-finals, however not in a straight forward manner.
Abbeylara won the “group of death” with six points from five games. Then came four teams tied on five points for the remaining three quarter-final places.
Mullinalaghta, Clonguish, Carrickedmond and Dromard. As four teams were tied on five points, the sides were separated on point’s difference between the sides in the games against each other.
Therefore, Dromard were the unlucky side to miss out finishing fifth in group B.
Indeed, things took a twist after the meeting of the sides in Ballymahon, when it appeared, Carrickedmond had an extra point to their name.
As reported by Shannonside Sport reporter Dave Hooper who recorded the half-time score as 2-6 to 0-5 in favour of Mullinalaghta. This was also recorded on the stadium scoreboard.
The Mullinalaghta management team also had the same score recorded. However, at half-time the match referee, David Tiernan informed the sides, he recorded the score as 2-6 to six points.
Awaiting referee reports!
As Carrickedmond fought back for a draw, murmurs of the questionable point arose at full-time. So much so, that Longford GAA recorded on the nights results on their X account with the tag; “These final group placings are subject to confirmation of referee’s reports”.
Following tonight’s final round of fixtures in Group B of the Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship, Abbeylara qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners on six points.
The next four teams in Group B finished level on five points, so Abbeylara will be joined in…
— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) August 31, 2024
If the match was awarded to Mullinalaghta; they would win the group with Abbeylara finishing second and Clonguish third. Dromard would take place four with Carrickedmond missing out.
Shannonside Sport understands that senior members of Mullinalaghta and Dromard have reviewed the match video.
However, in a further twist it appears Dromard are unable to object, as they did not partake in the match.
The only two possible routes to advance Dromard to the quarter-finals is through either “the referee’s report stating a different scoreline” or “Mullinalagta appealing”.
Expected developments await.
