Downpatrick RGU expelled from SFC

Downpatrick RGU expelled from SFC

2 September 2020

DOWNPATRICK RGU has been kicked out of this year’s Down Senior Football Championship.

The Down County Board — which made the decision — said it was left with no 

option after the emergence of a Covid-19 case meant that the RGU would not be able to fulfil a rearranged fixture at home to Carryduff.

The second round championship game was due to be played last Friday night after initially being postponed due to a bereavement at the Carryduff club.

RGU officials say they are disappointed at being expelled and that their request for another postponement was rejected by County Board officials. They have also confirmed that they “may take the issue further”.

Downpatrick RGU’s public relations officer, Collie Quinn, says the club is very annoyed at the situation.

He declared: “We are so disappointed. This has come at us through no fault of our own.

“In essence, the decision means that we have been forced out of the Championship and I think there is every possibility that we could take this further as we are concerned for the implications of this decision in the future.”

Mr Quinn said that while the RGU was “open and transparent” it has still been expelled from the competition, suggesting that it could make other clubs less inclined to be as open in the future.

Down county chairman Jack Devaney said that having been offered a 72-hour postponement under the regulations, the fact that the Covid case had been deemed part of a cluster would have left the RGU unable to field until early next week.

He said the board was left with no choice but to expel the Downpatrick club.

“Our understanding is that the team is out of commission for two weeks,” said Mr Devaney.

“Over the weekend, we asked Downpatrick to clarify their situation. It would have been different if it had been an arbitrary decision, but it is not. It is something that had been agreed before we went into the Championship.

“We understand they won’t be able to fulfil the fixture any time this week so it is unfortunate on Downpatrick. It is not their fault or anybody’s fault really.”

Mr Quinn said the RGU held lengthy discussions with Mr Devaney on Monday and that he agreed with the club that current Covid rules were not meant to deal with a whole team going into lockdown. 

As a result of the County Board ruling, Carryduff progressed to meet Longstone in the next round. That match was due to take place last night.

In the draw for the Morgan Fuels senior county championship quarter-finals, Loughinisland face Ballyholland this Saturday afternoon at 4pm in Castlewellan, with the mouthwatering tie followed on Sunday by a double-header in Pairc Esler in Newry.

First up, it is Kilcoo against Rostrevor at 3pm and at 7.30pm, Warrenpoint take on Clonduff.

Bryansford will be in action on Monday evening at 7.30pm at Pairc Esler when they face either Carryduff or Longstone who went head-to-head last night.

In the Parador Lodge Intermediate Championship quarter-finals, Dromara have been drawn to play Annaclone at 7.30pm in Liatroim on Friday, while Saul will have to find a way past Shamrocks at 5.30pm at St Patrick’s Park in Newcastle on Saturday.

Clann na Banna have been paired with Drumgath in Mayobridge on Sunday with a 5.30pm throw-in time, while Liatroim will play An Riocht at 5pm on Sunday in Ballyholland. 

The Parador Lodge Junior Football Championship quarter-finals will also be decided this weekend with three games on Saturday, all starting at 2pm.

In Ballykinlar, Ardglass face Aughlisnafin, while Drumaness face Kilclief in Saul, with St Paul’s facing Glassdrumman in Bright. On Sunday, Dundrum are up against Mitchels in Drumgath at 2pm.

Also on Sunday the Parador Lodge Intermediate Football Championship relegation semi-finals are to be contested. 

Atticall will play St John Bosco in Warrenpoint, as Bright take on Teconnaught in Drumaness. Both matches start at 2pm.