Top Mayo football club rocked by bombshell 'replay' ruling

Castlebar Celtic have today learned the shock news from the Connacht Football Association that they must replay their Connacht Cup semi-final against Salthill Devon.

The bombshell decision was taken by members of the provincial body's protest committee at a meeting last night in the Oakland Hotel, Glenamaddy.

The meeting had been called on foot of an objection by Salthill Devon to the appointment of Mayo officials to their penultimate round clash against Castlebar Celtic at Celtic Park, Castlebar, on May 5 last which the Mayo Super League champions won by 1-0.

Having taken into consideration all evidence, as well as correspondence and submissions received from both parties, the Connacht FA protest committee unanimously agreed to order the match to replayed at the original venue on Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m.

The committee cited the fact its ruling is in accordance with Rule 24 of the Connacht Cup, relating to the appointment of officials for semi -finals and finals.

The rule in question states: "The referee and assistants for semi finals and finals shall be chosen by the association and shall not be from the same area from which competing teams are from except for the two teams being from the same area."

Castlebar Celtic have been told they have the right to appeal the controversial decision to the Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI under the rules of the FAI Appeals procedures.

While the county town club is not commenting on the matter at this stage, it is understood its players and officials have been left flabbergasted by the ruling.

This is because both the Connacht FA and Salthill Devon had been informed in advance of the fixture that Mayo officials had been appointed to the original fixture due to the unavailability of referees from other counties on the date in question.

It is understood that Salthill Devon has not played the match under protest and then decided to lodge their objection after losing the game 1-0, albeit the winning goal being controversial in nature.

It is now widely perceived within the sport that the Connacht FA is setting a very dangerous precedent in this case.

Interestingly, when Castlebar Celtic played and defeated Mervue United in last year's Connacht Cup semi-final at a Galway venue, local referees officiated the game and the Connacht FA did not intervene.

Such is the level of dismay in Mayo's county town over the matter, it would not be a surprise if Castlebar Celtic withdrew from the competition by refusing to field for the proposed replay as the club is being punished for not breaching a rule.

But hopefully a compromise can be found in the meantime with the FAI certain to be consulted on the issue.