Walkover marks new low DEAN GOODISON
WEXFORD ARE out of contention for a knockout place in Division 1 of the Littlewoods National Camogie League after forfeiting last Saturday’s game against Cork.
The clash was due to take place in the Cork Camogie Grounds, but Wexford pulled out of the contest on Friday evening as they were well short of locating 15 available players that would have been needed for the trip to Leeside.
While there seemed little chance of any progress in the league before the concession, it is still hugely embarrassing for Wexford camogie to not fulfil a fixture in the second biggest competition.
It’s not the first time in recent years that a Wexford side has failed to complete a fixture, with last season’s Intermediate team giving a walkover in the Leinster championship before pulling out of the All-Ireland championship altogether.
Failing to fulfil a fixtures carries with it several penalties. Wexford will be deduced three points (which will put them on -3 points after two games), meaning they sit bottom of the group heading into round three.
Official Camogie Association rule 33.3 states that: ‘In the case of national inter-county, club or inter-provincial competitions under Ard Chomhairle’s auspices, any team who concedes a game cannot progress to the knock-out stages of a competition, i.e. quarter-final, semi-final or final.’
That means Wexford, even if they win their final two games, would not be eligible for the knockout stages. Also, under 33.4 the committee could impose other penalties including a fine, award of expenses to Cork, and/or the loss of a home game in next year’s National League.
Scarily, that could be a Division 2 tie. After this walkover, it is becoming increasingly likely that Wexford will finish bottom of Group 2 and will find themselves in a relegation play-off with the last-placed team in Group 1.
Wexford, who are still without a manager, are scheduled to travel to Galway on Sunday. The County Board intend to fulfil that fixture, but if no management team is in place by the end of the week it may be difficult for potential players to have any motivation to give up their Sunday with the sport in a state of disarray in the county.
The Board issued the following statement through its Secretary, Kathleen Kehoe, on Saturday:
‘Wexford camogie were unable to field in Saturday’s Senior League. We had St Martins girls involved in All Ireland Club Semi-Final on Sunday and a number of girls with colleges camogie commitments. There were also some girls unable change work schedule. Wexford Camogie are confident of fulfilling our remaining fixtures.
‘Wexford Camogie Board are actively seeking new Management for our Senior camogie team and are hoping to fill this position very shortly. We look forward to your continued support in the future.’