Omagh to play it again

AN ERROR in registration has forced a replay between Ulster junior club Omagh and Munster junior side Midleton to see who takes on Armagh for the second place on offer in Division Four of the All-Ireland League next year. Neither of the three clubs are at all happy about the outcome.

Omagh, who had beaten Midleton to earn a crack at Armagh, played Liverpool student Martin Boyd on their side not knowing that he was ineligible for the play-off stages.

Boyd had been cleared to play by the Ulster Branch for competitions in that province, but as soon as the competition came into the play-off phase, it then came under the auspices of the IRFU and Boyd's position became illegal. The rule is relatively new and Omagh were unaware that they were in breach.

Before playing against Midleton, Boyd should have sought permission from the English RFU for clearance from his Liverpool St Helens club. He should then have sought clearance from the IRFU to play in the All-Ireland phase of the competition.

"It was a genuine mistake and Omagh were open about the whole thing," said an IRFU official. "That's why they were not thrown out."

Midleton, who have won the Munster Junior Cup and the AIL Munster qualifying league, will meet Omagh for the second time at Naas on Saturday at 2.30. The winners will then meet Armagh on May 24th to see who joins Carlow in Division Four next year.

Paddy Johns has had to withdraw from the Irish Development squad tour to New Zealand and Western Samoa.

Johns is replaced by Bath's Brian Cusack. He is the third casualty in the squad after the withdrawals of Terenure number eight Mark Egan and Northampton utility hack Jonathan Bell. The party departs on Thursday at 1.30 p.m.

Hywel Jenkins, the Llanelli backrow player, is in danger of missing out on his first Wales A cap in Romania on May 24th after damaging knee ligaments in Saturday's final league match against Ebbw Vale.

The 21-year-old was forced off the field after only seven minutes at the weekend and has been on crutches ever since.