The hearing of an application by Na Fianna GAA club for an injunction restraining Raheny from playing UCD in the semi-final of the Dublin senior county football championship opened at the High Court yesterday.
Lawyers for Na Fianna argued the club's place in the semi-final should not have been forfeited over an alleged breach of GAA rules governing substitutes. They disputed claims it had breached GAA rules because of the number of substitutes it played in its quarter-final win over Raheny.
Glasnevin-based Na Fianna, which has been one of the capital's top sides in recent years, wants to be reinstated in the competition.
The Games Administration Committee of the GAA Dublin County Board claims Na Fianna exceeded its number of substitutes in the match. That decision was affirmed by the Leinster Council.
Na Fianna disputes that claim and argues that a temporary blood replacement had been used before five other substitutes. The club also contends that the rules envisage a situation where more than 20 players may be used.
Mr Mark Sanfey, for Na Fianna, told Mr Justice Smyth that the club wanted the injunction to give it an opportunity to establish the authorities breached regulations in ruling against the club.
In an affidavit, Charles O'Reilly, chairman of Na Fianna, said the club had used five substitutes and this was apparent from the referee's match report. In addition, a Na Fianna player, Stephen McGlinchey, had become injured from a collision of heads. As blood emerged from the wound, he was instructed by the referee to leave the field for treatment and was replaced by Gerry Gray. The referee said McGlinchey returned after a short period and the temporary replacement left the field.
In using Gray as a temporary replacement, Mr O'Reilly said he was informed by the coach and management of Na Fianna that they considered they were operating within the rules and that the temporary replacement did not count as one of the five substitutes. The fifth substitute was introduced so late in the game that he participated for only about two minutes and did not touch the ball.
Mr John Kirwan of the GAA said Rule 2.3 of the GAA's Official Guide provided that no more than five substitutions shall be made during a game. The rule provided that the only circumstances in which a 21st player could be used was where 20 had already been fielded and it became necessary to replace a goalkeeper who had a blood injury.
The case continues today.