Cork will keep their Munster football title. After a lenghty meeting of the Munster Council, which ran late into last night, it was eventually decided that the result of Sunday's controversial replay in Pairc Ui Chaoimh would stand.

It was anticipated that Cork would face forfeiture of the title won so convincingly over Tipperary, because in the course of the 19-point victory they unintentionally used six different substitutes - one more than the permitted five.

But the Munster Council, who has gathered in Adare for a specially-arranged meeting to discuss the matter, ruled that the matter did not strictly fall under such an offence, ruling instead on the basis that Cork did not exceed five ordinary substitutions and the most the county is now expected to face is a fine.

In a brief statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the Munster Council outlined the details of their decision: "Firstly it was ruled that Cork did not exceed the five ordinary substitutions as allowed in rule 2.4 (1).

"Secondly, Cork did introduce one temporary player. But rule1.5 (4) states that such a temporary replacement player shall not count as one of the substitutes allowed in rule 2.4 (2). Cork do accept that they did inadvertently breach rule 1.5, the blood rule, exceeding the maximum of 20 players allowed, but for which no penalty is specified under rule.

"The Munster Council find that Cork have not infringed any rule for which a penalty is specified. The Council also acknowledges the magnanimous gesture of Tipperary when they said they did not have any intention of being awarded the game or in seeking a replay."

With proceedings not getting underway until after 9.0 p.m., the discussions carried on for over two hours. Though on paper it appeared a straightforward decision, the Games Administration Committee (GAC) of the Council first had to examine the report of match referee Michael Monaghan of Kildare, then the report of the fourth official Ger Hough of Limerick.

On the day, however, there was no disputing the fact that Cork used six different substitutes, five regular substitutes in addition to one blood substitute -  a fact that Cork accepted. The regulations governing the organisation and presentation of senior championships games make it clear that each team is limited to a maximum of 20 players - including the temporary blood replacements - whereas Cork used 21.

Under official GAA rules, Cork were facing forfeiture of the title won so convincingly over Tipperary because in the course of the 19-point victory they unintentionally used six different substitutes - one more than the permitted five.

The Munster Council had gathered in Adare for a specially arranged meeting to discuss the matter. With proceedings not getting under way until after 9.0, the outcome of those discussions was delayed until much later into the night.

Though on paper it appeared a straightforward decision, the Games Administration Committee (GAC) of the Council first examined the report of match referee Michael Monaghan of Kildare, then the report of the fourth official, Ger Hough of Limerick.

There was also an input from Cork county chairman Frank Murphy, who is also a member of the Munster GAC.

It was confirmed that the fourth official had the responsibility to report all temporary replacements made during the game to the referee (for inclusion in his report). The fourth official also had to report to the referee any breaches of the temporary replacement player rule (again for inclusion in the referee's report). Ultimately, however, the responsibility of keeping track of the substitutions lay with the participating counties.

And on the day there was no disputing the fact that Cork used six different substitutes, five regular substitutes in addition to one blood substitute. The regulations governing the organisation and presentation of senior championships games make it clear that each team is limited to a maximum of 20 players - including the temporary blood replacements - whereas Cork used 21.

The only exception where teams can go outside the permitted 20 players is when the goalkeeper suffers a blood injury after the team has already used up its full quota of five substitutes. In that situation a sixth player can be called from the sideline, provided he acts solely as the temporary replacement for the goalkeeper.

Cork were in clear breach of that regulation in that they made three straight player substitutes, then a straight goalkeeper substitute, followed by a blood substitute. That used up their legal quota of five additional players, but they then introduced a sixth different player shortly before the end.

Although Tipperary didn't make any formal objection, the breach of regulation could not be ignored. Kildare were guilty of a similar offence in the course of their league match with Sligo last February - a game which ended in a draw - and subsequently saw Kildare being forced to surrender their points.

The Tipperary County Board were adamant that the matter was outside their hands, and that the decision to enforce the penalty rested solely with the Munster Council. It was understood, however, that the Council was exploring every possible avenue open to them in an effort to bring the matter to a more satisfactory conclusion.

One alternative was to agree upon a replay, but that was unlikely to appeal to Tipperary in light of the 1-23 to 0-7 result on Sunday. It was also suggested that Tipperary might turn down the title on the basis that it was won fair and square by Cork on the playing field. That would allow the Munster Council to decide the full penalty could not be enforced, and instead land Cork with some fine or reprimand.

Mayo have also been dragged into the unfortunate chain of events as they are due to play the losers of the Munster final this Saturday evening in Ennis in the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifier. There was no denying the fact they would rather play Tipperary than play Cork.

In playing Tipperary, Mayo would be facing a team whose morale and spirit had been greatly lowered by the 19-point hammering in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday. In playing Cork they would be facing opponents of mixed emotions, partly stunned by the events of the last few days, and partly determined to prove themselves right.