CONTROVERSY…Armagh’s loss to Laois was not without controversy

THE GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee, rather than Armagh, will ultimately decide whether or not Laois have a case to answer over the number of substitutes used in their victory over the Orchard county on Saturday.

Earlier today the Irish Examiner reported that Laois’s participation in the competition was in doubt as they had used seven substitutes rather than the permitted six when Shane Murphy came on as a 73rd minute black card replacement.

Any investigation would have no input from the Orchard county, and the decision would lie solely with the GAA. The matter was not raised by Armagh.

It is understood that the CCCC picked up on the issue and will meet very quickly to discuss the matter. They will likely rely on referee Anthony Nolan’s report as well as TV footage. Forfeiture, ordering a replay and a fine are all options.

Back in 2002, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney’s Na Fianna side were adjudged to have used six subs instead of the permitted five against Raheny and were kicked out of the competition by the Dublin County Board Games Administration Committee.