THE Laois footballers have been boosted by confirmation that key midfielder John O’Loughlin will be available for Saturday week’s controversial All-Ireland SFC Qualifier refixture with Armagh.
The GAA decided yesterday evening following a second afternoon of negotiations that the counties must play again following Laois’ use of seven substitutions in last Saturday’s round 1A win in Portlaoise.
Laois breached their quota of six subs during the three-point win by introducing Shane Murphy in the 72nd minute following a black card for Brendan Quigley.
The GAA had the option of awarding Armagh the game, ordering a replay or handing Laois a fine under Rule 6.44 of the Official Guide and opted for the replay.
Laois have at least retained home advantage for the second date and will be glad that experienced O’Loughlin is available again.
He was sent off in their previous Leinster championship defeat to Dublin and though their subsequent 1-10 to 0-10 win over Armagh has now been scrubbed from the record books, it’s been confirmed that he has served his suspension.
It had been speculated that a rematch would take place this weekend and the extra week gives both counties, particularly Armagh who believed their summer was over, adequate time to prepare.
However, Laois have grudgingly accepted the news which was confirmed in an official GAA statement.
Mick Lillis, the Laois manager, declined to comment when contacted but a source close to his management team claimed they were treated harshly.
According to the GAA statement, ‘Laois have accepted this proposal’ for a refixture after it was confirmed that ‘one extra substitute was used by Laois in error’.
But the Laois source indicated that the fourth official on the evening was asked twice if it was okay to introduce Murphy and replied that it was on both occasions.
“Anthony Cunningham (Laois coach) asked him twice and both times he was told that it was fine,” said the source.
“We’re not trying to say we didn’t make a mistake, there was an error made but we were given plenty of help to make that error by the GAA themselves.
“There was the option of handing Laois a fine and, in the circumstances, that would have been a way of acknowledging that, yes, we made a mistake but we did check it out with the appropriate person on the sideline before the mistake was made.”
It’s understood that Laois were made aware of the rule breach at 3pm on Monday, almost two full days after the completion of the game which was decided with two injury-time points from Jamie Farrell and Ross Munnelly.
The refixture saga led to a delay in the release of upcoming fixture details with confirmation yesterday evening that the winners of the Laois/Armagh game will travel to Ennis on July 9 or 10 to play Clare in round 2A.
It was also confirmed that Derry will play the losers of this weekend’s Leinster semi-final between Dublin and Meath on July 9 or 10 also, a week later than originally scheduled. Carlow will meet the losers of the Ulster championship replay between Tyrone and Cavan on the same weekend.
