Club manager sanctioned over fielding underage player

A general view of an empty subs' bench

A club manager in Wicklow has been handed an eight-week ban for playing an underage player in an adult game according to the Wicklow People.

The unusual situation occurred during a game involving the Rathnew intermediate footballers. GAA rules state that a player who has more than one year left at minor is not eligible to play adult football or hurling.

A lot of rural clubs have blasted the rule stating that it is making it increasingly difficult to field teams without these players.

Nonetheless, the Rathnew intermediate manager has been handed an eight-week suspension which he can appeal, while the player in question has been banned for two weeks.