Holders Belfast Star withdraw from Super League

Men's Super League holders Belfast Star have been forced to withdraw from this season’s competition due to an administrative error.

The Irish Examiner have reported that that there was an issue regarding the registration of top scorer Max Cooper, who joined the club this season from America.

"Earlier today Bill McCotter President of Belfast Star informed the Men’s National Competitions Committee [MNCC] that an inadvertent error was made in the registration of their player Max Cooper," a letter from chairman of the Men’s National Competitions Committee Gerry Kelly to all club secretaries in the league.

"The error has necessitated them forfeiting all points won in the National League to date and the withdrawal from the Super League with immediate effect."

Star, who finished second in the Northern Conference, also forfeited all points won this season.

The Belfast side had won the title for the first time in 21 years in March 2020 with last year’s competition postponed due to the Covid pandemic.