Cromane fume over €1,000 fine
Cromane will appeal the decision to fine them heavily for failing to fulfil a refixed Mid-Kerry championship semi-final date with Laune Rangers -- they were also kicked out of the competition.
The row developed after the original fixture, at Cromane, was abandoned when a player suffered a serious injury, but Mid-Kerry chiefs decreed that the refixture should be played at a neutral venue.
Cromane argued they should have been afforded home advantage and refused to fulfil the second fixture.
Authorities subsequently awarded Laune Rangers the game and hit Cromane with a €1,500 fine, which was later reduced to €1,000.
"We are appealing the fine and we have set the wheels in motion by communicating with the Hearings Committee of the county board," said club chairman Colm Joy.
"There was no reason given for the level of the fine, but we had been informed that two penalties would be imposed on the club for not fulfilling the semi-final meeting with Laune Rangers fixed in Beaufort.
"One, we would be removed from the competition and the game awarded to Laune Rangers and, two, a fine would be imposed. At that time we were not informed what the level of the fine would be, but that it would be relayed to us in due course."
Joy denied any suggestion that Cromane would be withholding their players -- who include Kerry pair Donnacha Walsh and Sean O'Sullivan -- from duty for Mid-Kerry in the county championship.
"I am not going to impose any restrictions on our players playing with Mid-Kerry -- it will be up to the individual players themselves to make themselves available or not," he said. "It certainly will not be club policy to withdraw players -- that is simply out of the question."
Irish Independent
