GAA:Louth will not be granted a re-fixture of Sunday's controversial Leinster final after the Meath county board declined to offer one following further meetings in Navan today. The decision, according to the Leinster champions, is "the end of the matter" and means the Wee County's hopes of replaying the match they lost because of an illegal last minute Joe Sheridan goal are fading fast.
A legal route involving the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) may remain open to Louth. After meeting today their county board said it was seeking clarification on referee Martin Sludden’s match report and would not comment further.
“On Tuesday July 13th a meeting was held by the management committee of the Louth County Board to consider all avenues available in light of events to date in relation to the Leinster senior football final on Sunday. We have received a copy of the referee’s report and have considered the contents and are seeking clarification on its contents.
“A further statement will be issued as matters evolve.”
Sludden admitted in his match report that the goal which was carried over the line by Sheridan should not have been allowed but the Leinster Council has no power to call for a replay and the decision rested with the Meath players who could, if they wished to do so, offer one.
After a meeting on Monday night, the squad was “almost unanimously” against that option and little changed today. In fact, the players and management were not represented at the meeting in Navan, despite the expectation they would be in some capacity.
There was speculation that delegates of the Meath county board were more evenly split on the issue, but once the players and managers were against it, such an outcome was always inevitable.
Earlier today, the Louth board condemned the behaviour of some of their fans after the match. Sludden was jostled and pushed by supporters after the final whistle and had to escorted from the pitch by gardaí.
“On behalf of Louth GAA we wish to condemn the unsavoury incidents after the match. We will provide full co-operation with the relevant authorities to deal with the offenders,” a statement read.
An Garda Siochána has been provided with the television footage of the post-match events and Croke Park’s security procedures will be reviewed in light of the unacceptable incidents.