Killybegs, Naomh Brid and Buncrana must return to the field to finish off Division 3

WITH KILLYBEGS having thought they had wrapped up the All-County Football League Division 3, the top three will now have to play-off to see the final places for 2018.

The Fintra based side, like many others, were of the opinion they’d topped the standing on scoring average in the fixtures between the three teams at the top who finished on 27 points apiece.

It was understood that Killybegs would be joined in Division 2 next year by Naomh Brid, who finished second, while Buncrana were third. Or so it seemed.

However, that regulation is one for championship and not league. Buncrana queried the decision and asked the County Secretary, Aideen Gallen, to get clarification from the Rules Advisory Committee on the Rule and Regulation used.

The Rules Advisory responded to the Donegal Competitions Control Committee (CCC) with the following: “The Rules Advisory Committee discussed your query at its meeting on Wednesday.  The Committee is of the view that, that there is no link between Donegal’s Championship Regulation (23) and League Regulation (29) i.e. the League Regulations should be considered as stand alone.

Therefore, where more than three teams are equal on points the outcome is decided, in accordance with Rule 6.21 , firstly by scoring difference, and if necessary, highest total score for etc…”

Now, the three teams in question will play-off over three weekends in November. This was the CCC’s response: “As the advice is that we do have our Regulations linked, then we cannot apply the exception we have in our Championship Regulation to our League Competitions. So we have to apply the Regulations outlined in Rule 6.21 for ties in our Leagues.

“The CCC convened a meeting today as the games involving the three clubs are now completed and there is a three way tie at the top of the league. A vote was proposed and seconded to rescind the decision of the 3rd of September and adopt the advice received and Apply Rule 6.21 without exception. The vote to rescind was passed by a majority of 6 for and 0 Against which is a 100% majority.

:As Na Rossa failed to field against all three teams then per Rule 6.21, we have decided that we will have to play play-offs to decide the positions of the three teams in the League.
The three teams will play each other once in neutral venues, commencing on the Sunday the 11th of November. The games will be as follows;

11/11/2018                         Na Cealla Beaga V Naomh Brid
18/11/2018                         Na Cealla Beaga V Bun Cranncha
25/11/2018                         Naomh Brid V Bun Cranncha”