BIG BLOW FOR CARNEW

WDFL deduct three precious league points

IT’S an end of season nightmare for Carnew FC after the WDFL deducted three league points from the Pat O’Toole Division 2 side following a meeting in Bray on Monday night which sees them crash to third spot when they had one hand on the trophy following the walkover by St Fergal’s last weekend.

This latest blow to the Wexford border club comes after their ejection from the Jim McLaughlin Premier Trophy competition after the LFA (Leinster Football Association) upheld the protest by Newtown United on the basis that Carnew had played an illegal player in the semi-final game at the Back Alley in Carnew.

Newtown United had taken their protest to the WDFL but it had been rejected due to lack of evidence but at the LFA hearing Newtown produced new evidence to show that a player with Carnew FC had been registered with a County Wexford team prior to registering with Carnew.

Newtown had alleged that up to three players had been used illegally by the Carnew outfit on the day when the Back Alley men defeated the Magpies by 3-1.

The four-day period within which Carnew FC could appeal that LFA decision has now passed without any appeal being lodged.

Following that decision by the LFA, the WDFL decided to pursue matters arising and deducted the three points from Carnew FC which sees them drop to third spot and which pits Avonmore and Rathnew into a play-off to see who will be crowned the Pat O’Toole Division 2 champions for this season. The date and venue for the game is unknown due to Carnew having four working days in which to appeal this latest decision.

A League spokesperson told the Wicklow/Bray People that the case had been investigated and that a player hadn’t been registered but had played during the league and that Carnew had therefore lost three points which caused them to end up in third spot.

As well as the deduction of points, Carnew FC were also fined €100. The club were also fined €100 by the LFA following that investigation and not, as was printed elsewhere, the player.

Meanwhile, the delayed Jim McLaughlin Premier Trophy final will be played this Friday evening at 7.30pm between Newtown United and Rathnew AFC A at a venue yet to be decided in what should be an interesting encounter between two great rivals.