Stronger sanctions proposed for offenders

The North East Football League held their club meeting at the Ardboyne Hotel where most of the clubs were in attendance.
Chairman David Tully opened the meeting stating the leagues stance on abuse to match officials and read an official statement on behalf of the committee.
"It has come to the attention of the committee, over the last few years, that there has been a rise in the number of dismissals for verbal abuse to match officials, by both players and team management," said Tully.
"We, the committee, have tried to curtail this activity by the imposition extra fines but this has not had the desired effect.
"To try and address this situation, the committee has decided to request all offenders to appear in person at the appropriate disciplinary meeting and offenders will remain suspended until they do appear. 
"A representative will not be acceptable. It is recommended that clubs have offenders present at disciplinary meeting when the report is first read to avoid having to serve an extra weeks suspension," concluded the chairman.
Second on the agenda was a presentation from Keith Nolan from Open Play, who showed clubs a concept of fundraising through his company and also how to run their clubs as a package which went down well with clubs. 
League secretary Gerry Gorman outlined the use of the FAI draw to clubs next on the agenda, stating it was a no brainer for clubs as there was no cost to run the draw to them. In the past clubs have benefited greatly from this draw and should continue to avail of such service. 
FIXTURES
Fixture secretary Declan Jordan reported that the league is running on schedule and to help it run smoothly clubs may only get one free week off instead of two, unless it can be fit in somewhere where clubs are idle. 
CUP DRAWS
In the Challenge Cup Kentstown Rovers were drawn at home to Thatch FC. If Duleek overcome Hazel Lane they face an away tie at Glenmuir FC, while Kells Celtic will face holders Muirhevnamor and if they cause a shock they will have a home game against another Premier side Carrick Rovers. 
Johnstown have an away trip to Cup specialists Bellurgan United and if they win they will have another trip on the road away to Div 1 high flyers Square United. 
Athboy Celtic play Newtown United and a possible clash against Kilmessan at home if they can overcome Newfoundwell. 
The tie of the round is OMP United versus Trim Celtic at the MDL grounds, and the last tie is Park Celtic Summerhill who are a couple of rounds behind facing either Bay FC or Donacarney Celtic with the winners of them playing at home to Boyne Harps in the last 16. 

The Reserve cup quarter final draw saw Trim Celtic 2nds or Hazel Lane at home to either Carrick Rovers or Ardee Celtic. 
Virginia FC 2nds face a daunting challenge away to either Muirhevnamor or Redeemer Celtic. The winner of Albion Rovers 2nds or Duleek will have home advantage against the winner of Parkvilla FC or Drogheda Town. 
The tie of the round is the winner of Kentstown Rovers or OMP United facing an away trip to holders Newfoundwell in the last of the quarter finals. 

At the end of the meeting Chairman Tully read out the list of clubs who didn't attend the meeting and who will incur a fine of e50, they were Abbey Celtic, Ardee Celtic, Bay FC, Blackbull FC, Bohermeen Celtic, Drogheda Town, Muirhevnamor, Redeemer Celtic, Rock Celtic, Square United, Thatch FC, Trim Town and Woodview Celtic. 36 out of the 49 clubs were present.