Shannon set to meet legal representatives

SHANNON RFC officials are set to meet with their legal representative this Friday to discuss their appeal against a massive €25,000 fine imposed on the club after members were found to have abused match referee George Clancy in the wake of a recent All-Ireland League Division 1A tie.
Members of the Shannon RFC executive met this week to discuss how best to proceed with their appeal against the fine and a suspended six-point deduction imposed on the AIL champions by the IRFU prior to Christmas.
Shannon RFC have until Friday, January 15 to lodge their appeal and will discuss the matter with their legal representative at the end of this week.
Shannon RFC had originally been given 14 days to lodge an appeal against the fine, but the IRFU granted the club an extension until January 15 as a result of the period co-inciding with the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
The €25,000 fine imposed on Shannon is to be paid to the IRFU Charitable Trust on or before March 31, 2010.
The fine and suspended points deduction relates to incidents following a controversial finish to Shannon’s All-Ireland League Division 1A clash with Cork Constitution at the start of last month.
Holders Shannon had been ahead in the game late on, but the awarding of a free-kick and a penalty to Cork Con’ by Limerick match referee George Clancy in injury time angered Shannon supporters.
When Cork Con’ landed the penalty kick to win the game by a single point, 9-8, a number of Shannon supporters vented their anger at referee Clancy.
While the Limerick club did expect some form of sanction arising out of the verbal abuse suffered by the match official, officials and supporters were left reeling by its severity.
While the fine of €25,000 was imposed, the IRFU opted to suspend the six-point deduction as that was seen as a punishment for the players who were not at fault.
The six-point deduction will come in effect if Shannon find themselves in hot water with match officials later in the season.
Shannon RFC PRO, Andrew McNamara said the club ‘have not or do not condone any form of abuse of referees.’ While they were expecting some form of sanction, they were lodging their appeal on the grounds of the severity of the fine.

Colm Kinsella