Ringmahon Rangers hand FAI Cup walkover to Bohemians due to All-Ireland hurling final clash

Munster Senior League champions Ringmahon Rangers have chosen to give Bohemians an FAI Cup walkover on July 19 due to a potential clash with the All-Ireland hurling final.

The FAI set a deadline of Monday lunchtime for a venue and kick-off to be provided by the home club for the second-round tie and the Cork outfit informed them of their unavailability on Friday.

The decision, made by the club’s committee, was endorsed by the squad.

As their home pitch of Ringmahon Park had been deemed unsuitable by the FAI to stage the fixture, the club were to nominate St Colman’s Park in Cobh, but a kick-off time of 2pm was too close to throw-in at Croke Park for a crowd to be expected at the cup tie.

There’s also the matter of the World Cup final kicking off at 8pm. The All-Ireland final throws in at 3. 30pm.

On top of the turnout being impacted, Caoimhín Kelleher’s schoolboy club would expect to be missing several of their players attending the final in Dublin – should the Cork hurlers get past Galway in this Saturday's semi-final.

Flexibility on alternative dates was hamstrung by Bohemians’ upcoming European commitments.

As the away leg of their Conference League meeting with St Joseph’s in Gibraltar is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, both the Friday and Saturday were ruled out by the Gypsies and the FAI.

Monday night was also dismissed as Bohs could have another European game looming if they progress. 

The winner of Connah's Quay or FC Ballkani would be visiting Dalymount Park on Wednesday July 22 for a 6pm kick-off.

A Ringmahon spokesman confirmed the walkover to the Irish Examiner. 

The club subsequently released a statement regarding the decision.

The statement from the Ringmahon Rangers committee reads: "Following the FAI Senior Cup draw, we were delighted to be drawn at home against one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, Bohemians FC.

"Under competition rules, the home club is responsible for setting the date and time of the fixture. 

"Following the draw, discussions took place between Ringmahon Rangers, Bohemians FC, and the FAI regarding potential scheduling issues arising from Bohemians’ European commitments. 

"There was also the possibility of a three-week delay depending on the outcome of Bohemians’ subsequent European draw.

"Last Thursday, the FAI informed us that the fixture had been scheduled for 2:00pm on Sunday, 19 July. 

"However, due to competition regulations, the match could not be played at Ringmahon Rangers’ home ground while other team games v League of Ireland opposition have been allowed to be played at our home ground.

"Following discussions with the Munster Football Association, we were informed that Turner’s Cross would not be available that weekend. 

"We then explored the possibility of staging the game in Cobh, with concerns over reduced attendance due to a potential clash with a Cork GAA fixture and the FIFA World Cup Final later that day, created significant difficulties.

"In an effort to find a workable solution, we proposed several alternative dates to the FAI, including Friday, Saturday, and Monday of the same weekend. 

"We also offered to play the fixture the previous week or at any suitable date before the next round of the competition.

"We subsequently received correspondence from the FAI confirming that these requests had been declined and that the fixture details were to be finalised by 12:00pm on Monday.

"As a club, we feel we were treated unfairly and placed in an impossible position. 

"Given the logistical challenges, player availability issues, logistical issues with staging the match approximately 30 minutes from our home venue on an already congested sporting weekend, we felt we had no viable option but to withdraw from the competition.

"This is an outcome that deeply disappoints everyone associated with Ringmahon Rangers. 

"We would like to thank our players, supporters, volunteers, and sponsors for their continued support and understanding."

Ringmahon entered the second round draw three weeks ago, having advanced through the non-league round by overcoming Liffey Wanderers on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Dublin.

For Bohemians, the forfeiture lightens the schedule around their first European adventure since 2021.

Alan Reynolds’s side are currently in the second in the Premier Division table but, after this Friday’s trip to Drogheda United, they won’t resume domestic action until the July 31 league game against Galway United.