Sport

Irish basketball teams to replay final 0.3 seconds of game

Limerick Sport Eagles and Portlaoise Panthers have been ordered to play out the remainder of their game

This high school basketball team has made one hell of a statement on what it means to be an American
Basketball Limerick Sport Eagles and Portlaoise Panthers have been ordered to play out the remainder of their game
By Liam Grimley

Two basketball sides are to play out the remaining 0.3 seconds of their quarter-final tie.

Limerick Sport Eagles won 80-78 against the Portlaoise Panthers in their second-division quarter-final on March 23.

However, the Eagles’ winning points came from free throws that were awarded as the final buzzer sounded at St Mary’s Hall, Portlaoise.

After the game, the Panthers appealed, claiming that the free throws should not have been given in the first place as the final buzzer had sounded.

Two days later, the National League Committe (NLC) informed Portlaoise Panthers that a referee’s decision could not be overturned and the result would stand.

However, it stated that the club had the option to appeal to the National Appeals Committee (NAC).

Following the appeal process, the NAC ruled that the game should be replayed in its entirety.

However, in a statement, Basketball Ireland said: “Basketball Ireland and the National League Committee acknowledge this decision by the NAC, however - as stated previously - this option to appeal to the NAC was granted in error by the National League Committee because on-court refereeing decisions cannot be overturned”.

The National League Committee has now ordered the final 0.3 seconds of the game to be played this week, with the clubs deciding the date.

Current FIBA (Basketball’s world governing body) rules state that there is no further grounds for appeal and the decision taken by the NAC is final.

The team who advances to the semi-final will play Moy Tolka Rovers with the fixture, scheduled for April 9.