KILMACUD Croke’s have been formally awarded the All-Ireland club title, in the wake of Glen's decision to withdraw their appeal over the result of last month's final.
The Dublin champions won the January 22 decider by two points to bring the Andy Merrigan cup back to Stillorgan for the first time since 2009.
However, controversy arose when they defended Glen’s final attack with 16 players on the field, having failed to withdraw Dara Mullin as part of a double substitution that also saw Paul Mannion taken off, with Tom Fox and Conor Casey going on.
Glen lodged an objection to the outcome of the match, with the GAA subsequently ordering a replay after finding that Kilmacud had breached Rule 6.44.
However, the Derry kingpins withdrawal from the disciplinary process at the weekend, saying they did not believe the "conditions" for a replay existed. And today Kilmacud were formally confirmed as champions after agreeing to withdraw their appeal to the Central Appeals Committee following a meeting with the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).
A statement from the GAA read: “Representatives of Kilmacud Crokes and the C.C.C.C met today to consider the implications of the decision on Friday of Watty Graham’s Glen to withdraw from the process initiated around the 2023 AIB All-Ireland Club Football Final.
“The C.C.C.C, arising from an objection on behalf of Watty Graham’s Glen, had ordered a replay of the game on the basis that in excess of the number of players permitted were on the field for the last play of the game.
“The C.C.C.C Decision – communicated to the two Clubs on Tuesday of last week - had made it clear that this was not a deliberate action and that no fault was attributed to Kilmacud Crokes for the situation they found themselves in.
Statement from Kilmacud in which they refer to The Glen. That's unforgivable.
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) February 9, 2023
Glen = Glen.
The Glen = Glenullin. pic.twitter.com/41GUIk2ahP
“Upon a request from the C.C.C.C., Kilmacud Crokes, in the interests of fully resolving the matter, today agreed to withdraw their Appeal to the Central Appeals Committee.
“A subsequent meeting of the C.C.C.C has formally awarded the 2023 All Ireland Club Championship to Kilmacud Crokes.”
Croke’s released a separate statement, welcoming the end of a “very difficult two weeks” for both clubs:
“The teams, management and the family and friends of all GAA clubs know the sacrifice, physical endurance and mental strength that is required to reach an All-Ireland Senior Club Football final and we congratulate both teams on their achievement.
“We would like to thank our players, the management team, volunteers and out wider membership community for their ongoing support and commitment.
“Our club will continue to move forward focused on our passion to promote the enjoyment of Gaelic games within our community in an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment for all ages and all levels.”
