Na Fianna GAA club has secured a temporary High Court injunction restraining the playing of today's Dublin Senior Football Championship match between Raheny and University College Dublin.
The injunction continues until Monday. Applying for the order, Mr Mark Sanfey, for Na Fianna, read an affidavit by club chairman, Mr Charles O'Reilly, who said the Games Administration Committee had held that his club had exceeded the number of permitted substitutes in the recent quarter-final meeting where they defeated Raheny.
Na Fianna has appealed that decision and the Leinster Council was due to hear that appeal last night. Granting the interim injunction until Monday, Mr Justice Kelly said the Leinster Council could have liberty to apply to vary or discharge the injunction on notice to Na Fianna and the court. Mr O'Reilly said it was apparent from the report of the referee that Na Fianna used five substitutes. One of his club's players had also become injured during the game. That player was instructed to leave the field for treatment and was replaced. The referee recorded that the injured player "returned after a short period and temporary replacement left field of play". Mr O'Reilly said the club management considered they were operating within the rules and that the "temporary replacement" did not count as one of the five substitutes. The chairman said the GAC ruling appeared to be based on a Central Council ruling of August this year which stated that a maximum of 20 players were allowed, other than a goalkeeper, who might be substituted if he suffers a blood injury. The penalty imposed by the Central Council was forfeiture of a game. However, Mr O'Reilly said the GAA's own rules contained no penalty for a breach of the substitute rule. The Central Council was clearly attempting to amend a perceived deficiency but the council had no power to amend a rule. That was a matter for congress.