Knightsbrook get another chance

Meath & District League club Knightsbrook have earned a Tully Bookmakers" Challenge Cup reprieve following a successful protest to the disciplinary committee which was heard last week. Knightsbrook protested the eligibility of a player who lined out with Square Utd in the last round of the premier knock-out competition. The Louth side won the game by 3-1, but now Knightsbrook have been granted a re-fixture. The MDL committee heard the protest from Knightsbrook regarding the eligibility of a player who lined out for Square in the third round of the competition and who had previously played for Ardee Celtic. The player lined out for Ardee Celtic in the Challenge Cup and then transferred to Square Utd and duly played again in the same competition for a different club. The contents of the protest was based on the player in question who is a bona fide registered player for Square Utd, but had subsequently lined out for his previous club in the same competition prior to his transfer to his club. Square Utd officials had sought advice from an MDL official regarding the player"s status prior to the game against Knightsbrook. After considering all the evidence, the MDL committee ordered a re-fixture and a refund of the protest fee. However, it could be a few weeks before the matter is finally resolved as both clubs have a right of appeal to the Leinster Football Association, and thereafter to the Football Association of Ireland in accordance with their rules. The MDL disciplinary committee could be in action again over another cup tie, this time one that wasn"t played. The tie between BMC Utd and Trim Celtic did not take place and is now the subject of a league investigation With the action resuming again on all fronts, teams are now trying to get back into contention for honours. Lack of consistency during the early part of the season looked to have reduced the chances of promotion to the top flight for Clones Town. However, they have now moved into a challenging position due to a series of favourable results. They recorded their fourth successive win at the weekend after they were well worth a 2-0 victory over Navan Cosmos with goals from Gary McKenna, and Simon Douglas. Longwood are level on points at the top after a lone goal win away to Bellurgan where David Flynn was on the mark. The run in promises to be a very closely fought affair with only three points separating four teams, Clones, Navan Cosmos, Longwood and Torro while fifth-placed Cavan Town have two games on hand. Former Premier champions Glenmuir lost further ground after playing out a scoreless draw away to Square while leaders Rock Celtic extended their advantage with a 2-1 win at home to Albion Rovers. Next week"s encounter between the two Dundalk rivals is now a must-win for the Glenmuir side. Duleek continued their impressive form with a 5-2 win away to Slane and Carrick ran out easy winners by 4-0 at home to bottom of the table Navan Town. St Laurence"s Gate inflicted a surprise Div 2 defeat on leaders Skryne/Tara with a 2-1 score line. Oldcastle got through to the next round of the Challenge Cup as they negotiated against Chord Celtic with goals from Alan McCann and Brian Briody. O"Growney NS, Athboy and St Mary"s, Trim represented Meath in the FAI Leinster Primary Schools Futsal finals at the National Basketball Arena. St Mary"s performed extremely well and were unfortunate not to qualify for the semi-finals after managing two draws and a narrow defeat. O"Growney NS won their group without conceding a goal, but were beaten by the eventual winners in the semi-final.