Rathnew to appeal CCC decision on abandoned match

RATHNEW GAA CLUB are to appeal the suspensions of manager Harry Murphy and player Paul Merrigan that have been recommended by the Wicklow CCC after an investigation into the abandoned league game between the Village and Tinahely.

Former Wicklow manager Murphy has been handed a onemonth suspension while Merrigan has been recommended to serve a one-match ban and the club have expressed their disappointment in the outcome which they intend to appeal.

However, exactly when that appeal will be heard by the Wicklow GAA Hearings Committee is very much up in the air given the current lockdown of sporting fixtures due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Division 1 fixture between the two clubs on February 22 was abandoned by referee Pat Dunne due to health and safety concerns, while Rathnew took to social media to claim that Dunne had told club chairman Bobby Dignam that the game was stopped due to racist abuse.

Following the receipt of the referee’s report, the CCC recopmmended suspending Rathnew manager Harry Murphy for onemonth, doubling to two as a result of a similar incident from 2019.

They also recommended a onematch suspension for Rathnew player Paul Merrigan, doubling to two as a result of a similar incident from 2019, while also fining both clubs €300 and ruling that any fixtures between the two sides be played in a neutral venue for the next two years.

Rathnew chairman Bobby Dignam confirmed that they intended to appeal the CCC’s ruling, and adding that the club were very disheartened by the decision.

‘The investigation, in our opinion, was disappointing, and we are seriously disappointed with the outcome. There were certain issues that weren’t addressed. We will be lodging a full appeal,’ Dignam said.