Updated 15.15pm
DJ CAREY-MANAGED IT Carlow have been thrown out of the Fitzgibbon Cup, it has been confirmed this afternoon. Limerick-based Mary Immaculate College lodged an objection to the eligibility of IT Carlow corner back James Gannon, from the Ballyragget club in Kilkenny, and Mary I have been reinstated in the competition.
It is understood that Gannon is studying a graduate course through Glanbia and while IT Carlow insisted that the necessary paperwork was processed in order for him to play, Higher Education GAA chiefs have ejected them from the tournament.
In their defence, IT Carlow pointed out that current Kilkenny stars Colin Fennelly, Paul Murphy and Eoin Larkin are studying courses at the Institute but were not used in the Fitzgibbon Cup because the trio are full-time with the Irish Defence Forces.
A three-hour hearing took place in Portlaoise last night to discuss the impasse, the42.ie can reveal, and further conference calls took place this afternoon.
Higher Education GAA chiefs have now amended this week’s fixtures. On Thursday, Limerick IT will host Waterford IT in the last eight, with Mary Immaculate College at home to DIT, on the basis that they topped Group C.
IT Carlow beat Eamonn Cregan’s Mary I by nine points last week to originally book their place in the last eight from a competitive Group C. IT Carlow finished second in the standings behind holders WIT on scoring difference to progress to the knockout stages. But as things stand, they will not be able to continue in the prestigious third-level tournament, although an appeal from IT Carlow is expected.
The quarter-final fixtures in full are:
Wednesday 18 February
Cork IT v NUI Galway, Cork IT, 2pm
UL v UCD, UL, 3pm
Thursday 19 February
Limerick IT v Waterford IT, Limerick IT, 3pm
Mary Immaculate College v Dublin IT, MICL Grounds, Limerick, 3pm
So in theory once, and if, Ireland have scored four tries they can (kinda) decide who they want to play in the quarter finals (and to eliminate SA from the competition)….. However, that’s not what this team is about. They’ll have the simple goal to beat Scotland off the park.
@Thomas Patton: Technically correct, but great motivation for whichever team was ‘picked’ to be the lesser of two evils
@Brian Donohoe: you’d imagine intentionally losing a world cup game by 20+ PTS would have serious consequences
@Ciaran Kennedy: Yeah. If Scotland score 4 tries against us, we’re not going to be winning a QF
@Kevin Ryan: meanwhile on against the head, Donal Lenihan says that Scotland need 4 tries to progress and nobody corrects him. Punditry sucks.
It is quite simple lads… please just win – dont care how or by how much. My heart would not be able to take the stress of it. The closer it gets the more nervous I feel.
Ireland will be 100% focussed as always , everyone knows their roles and the game plan . The goal is to win against Scotland and then prepare for the next team we are drawn against. That’s it . This being the tougher side of the draw we were always going to have to do this the hard way.
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point.
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out.
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
@Graham Glendinning: Any of those later options will mean a steward’s inquiry
@Graham Glendinning: Corrections.
Note – lreland lose with try bonus, and no Scotland bonus: Ireland through
Ireland lose by 4 or fewer : top group.
Lose by 5, 6 or 7, top group if no Scotland bonus point (or 2 Ireland bonus points).
Lose by 5 and Scotland bonus: top group if same or more tries against Scotland (or 2 bonus points).
Lose by 6 or 7 and Scotland bonus : through only if 2 bonus points.
Lose by 8-19 : Ireland out (unless try bonus and no Scotland try bonus)
Lose by 20. Ireland second if 4 try bonus, only if Scotland score at least 3 more tries than Ireland!
Lose by > 20 : Ireland second if 4 try bonus for Ireland and Scotland
Would it be better to play France? Unfortunately, I feel we’ve eliminated that opportunity now with our success so far. Maybe Italy could do us a favour…
@Sam Bingham: Why would it be better to play France?
@Kevin Liston: hi Kevin, I’ve used the punctuation known as a question mark to indicate I’m asking a question. You actually nailed it first time in your response buddy, so you should get to grips with it pretty quickly.
@Sam Bingham: did u watch new zealand v italy oh boy
In that final scenario, wouldn’t SA’s better head-to-head have them ahead of Scotland?
@John Dooney: forget that
@John Dooney: ya my head wrecked even reading that post from murray haha
@John Dooney: The odd thing is that in a 3-way tie where each beat one of the others, it is points difference to decide the winner, but head to head for second-third. I think in the Heineken cups it is points difference for all 3.