Realt na Mara joint-manager Ciaran McCaughey has expressed his club’s disappointment with how a recent appeal hearing has been dealt with by Donegal CCC (Competitions Controls Committee) and says they are going to bring the matter to the Ulster Hearings Committee.

Realt na Mara submitted an appeal last month after Dara Hoey’s two-pointed effort in their 1-11 to 1-12 IFC defeat to Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin was registered for a single point when the officials deemed his shot took a touch before going over.

The original hearing was scheduled for August 20 but didn’t take place. The Bundoran club pursued the matter and were informed on Monday that the appeal hearing would take place the following evening (Tuesday).

The CCC stood firm on the original outcome of the match and Realt na Mara were told that ‘The interpretation from the CCC review is that the majority felt that the ball had been touched, that along with the referee’s report would suggest there was contact made.”

McCaughey, who manages the team with Barry McGowan, says the process in which the situation has been dealt with has irked them more than the match outcome itself.

“We don’t actually care much about the points or the fact that it was a draw, it doesn’t make much of a difference on the league table.

“I think it’s just about how it’s been handled, it’s both frustrating and disappointing. The whole pushing it under the carpet, rescheduling and pulling out an addendum, which was in an email format from the referee, the night of the appeal. It’s shocking behaviour.

“With the referees now with the new rules and the dissent, you can’t say a thing to them so it’s almost untouchable.

“Fair enough, it’s a tough job to do. I wouldn’t fancy doing it with the new rules, there’s a lot of challenges but when you get something as clear as that. The ball floated over the bar by twenty metres, which wouldn’t have happened if there was that kind of contact on it.

“They’ve kicked it out three weeks now, it should’ve been dealt with before the second game happened but it didn’t. They scheduled the hearing and they cancelled the hearing saying the rule didn’t apply which clearly it did, it can’t be any clearer.

“The ultimate word is disappointment but we’re going to continue it and bring it to Ulster. It’s not about the points, it’s just about ethics.”