CAPPRY Rovers have been named as the winners of the 2019/20 Donegal League Premier Division after an arbitration ruling.
The news comes almost a year after the Ulster Football Association upheld an appeal from Kilmacrennan Celtic, a decision that crowned the Lurgysiders as champions.
However, after the FAI overruled the Ulster FA decision, Kilmacrennan took the case to arbitration.
That process came to a conclusion recently, confirming the FAI ruling and leaving Cappry as the Premier Division winners.
While Cappry Rovers have welcomed the decision, the club has called for the processes, policies and procedures of both the Donegal League and the Ulster FA to be reviewed.
Independent arbitrator, Brian Murphy BL, heard the case and deemed that Kilmacennan Celtic had played an ineligible player in their game against Cranford.
Accordingly, Mr Murphy ruled that the points be awarded to Cranford and the table adjusted.
Cappry Rovers Player/Manager Paddy McNulty commented: “Obviously we are all delighted with this outcome, an outcome that shouldn’t have had to wait twelve months to be delivered.
“The fact that Cappry Rovers were crowned Premier Division champions of the Donegal League almost a year ago, and for this to then by taken away from us by a decision by the Ulster Football Association, meant that it was a real kick in the teeth for myself, the players and everyone involved with Cappry Rovers.
“The commitment, dedication and work put in by all the players has been justifiably been rewarded and despite the twelve months wait, we can all be proud of our achievement of winning the Donegal League Premier Division.”
A Donegal League statement said: “Official correspondence was received in relation to Arbitration 21-01 Cappry Rovers FC v Ulster Football Association (Respondent) which states the result of match Cranford v Kilmacrennan Celtic on 9th August 2020 is to read 3-0 and points to adjusted immediate. Thus will leave Cappry Rovers FC winners of the Brian McCormick Sports & Premier League for the season 2019-2020.”
Both clubs’ League campaign had already finished when the case began.
Initially, Kilmacrennan Celtic were docked points from a 3-2 win over Cranford FC on August 9, 2020 by the Donegal League’s disciplinary committee.
A protest was lodged alleging that Kilmacrennan played a player who should have been serving a suspension, following a red card in a game the previous Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Kildrum Tigers.
A 3-0 win was awarded to Cranford by the League’s disciplinary body, but Kilmacrennan lodged an appeal to the provincial body.
At the time, sources within the Kilmacrennan Celtic club suggested that the green light was given to play the player in question against Cranford.
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