Exit door open

Rathkenny have been thrown out of the Meath SFC following their failure to fulfil last Sunday's rescheduled relegation play-off re-fixture against Walterstown. The club also had a fine of €250 imposed, it emerged at Monday night's Co Committee in Trim, although the information was not disclosed officially. The details only emerged when Rathkenny delegate Edmund Curtis mentioned the facts as he sought clarification on a number of issues, in particular where his club stands at the moment. The issue arose after Walterstown successfully appealed having to play extra-time in a SFC relegation play-off against Rathkenny, on the basis that they had not consented, and they were awarded a re-fixture by Leinster Council. Meath CCC challenged that decision, but were unsuccessful and eventually, the game was re-fixed for last Sunday at Donore. Rathkenny advised Meath Co Committee that they would not fulfil the fixture. In the results that were supplied by Meath Co Committee at the weekend, the game was declared as a walkover to Walterstown. "We played and beat Walterstown on Sunday, 27th September in the first phase of a relegation play-off, we were notified about that fixture in the normal manner and it clearly stated that extra-time should be played," stated Curtis. "Walterstown played in a relegation play-off last year and won in extra-time, they had no problems then. "We have done nothing wrong, but now it appears that we are out of senior football after we were expected to play the same game again following a gap of 10 weeks. "Rathkenny intend to appeal this matter and we believe that a lot of clubs will support us," concluded Curtis. Trying to placate the Rathkenny delegation and address some of the issues, vice-chairman Eugene Comaskey briefly outlined the situation. "We fought this decision to award a re-fixture to Walterstown on two occasions and the only instructions we received from Croke Park was to finish the competitions," he stated. Chairman Barney Allen also got involved when he unleashed a broadside at Walterstown delegate Jack Gordon. "I'm looking for an apology from Walterstown because they accused me of influencing the Competitions Controls Committee in making that fixture between Walterstown and Rathkenny, that is untrue," stated the Rathkenny clubman. Gordon, who is not the usual delegate for his club, did not make any response to the chairman. With Rathkenny now involved in an appeal process to the Meath Hearings Committee, which will be heard next week, the outstanding relegation play-off game which involves Duleek / Bellewstown may not need to be scheduled. If Rathkenny lose their appeal in Meath they can go to Leinster Council, but if they are unsuccessful there, it would mean that they will not be in the senior grade next year unless the take their plight to the DRA. However, if they are successful in their appeal to the Meath Hearings Committee, then Walterstown could be in a position to appeal that decision to Leinster Council as it would effectively reverse the original decision by Leinster to uphold Walterstown's appeal. The only solution that might placate all sides would be to increase the 2010 SFC to 17 teams?