'Extra man' claim throws Antrim SFC into controversy

The Antrim Senior Football Championship has been plunged into further controversy after Creggan Kickhams lodged an objection amid an 'extra man' claim following their quarter-final defeat to Lámh Dhearg.

The issue centres around a period of action early in the second half of the game – which eventually went to extra-time – where Lámh Dhearg appeared to have 16 players on the pitch following a substitution.

During the period of play where the Hannahstown men allegedly to have the extra player, they won and pointed a crucial free.

A late Lámh Dhearg equaliser forced extra-time and they eventually came out 0-15 to 0-13 winners but, there is precedent for a dilemma such as this and it appears to point in the inevitable direction of a replay.

Glen appealed against a similar incident in the 2023 All-Ireland Club final defeat to Kilmacud Crokes and were granted a replay – although they later withdrew their appeal.

Last year’s Cork SHC semi-final between Blarney and Bride Rovers was replayed after Rovers were found to have an extra player on the pitch during extra-time. Blarney won the replay.