'Rules of fair play not applied' — Ballinora hit out after Fermoy awarded match

Ballinora have expressed “huge disappointment” at the decision to award last Saturday’s McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC Group 3 Round 3 game to Fermoy, after the North Cork club’s objection to the officially drawn match was upheld on Tuesday night.

The ruling overturns what had appeared to be a 0-21 to 2-15 stalemate in Glenville and instead records the fixture as a 0-22 to 2-15 Fermoy victory — a change Ballinora say leaves them “disproportionately” affected and denied the chance to conclude the matter on the field of play.

The controversy arose from a scoring error in referee Wayne King’s report. Both teams entered the tie knowing that a win would secure progression, while Ballinora’s superior scoring difference meant a draw would also be enough to send them through. 

Ballinora’s statement to The Echo early on Thursday morning makes clear their frustration. 

Fermoy’s objection centred on a 30th‑minute point from Ben Twomey, followed moments later by a two‑point effort from the same player. Those scores should have brought Fermoy to 0-10 at the interval, but only nine were recorded. 

Once verified, Fermoy’s final tally rose to 0-22 — enough to edge Ballinora’s 2-15 by a single point and overturn the drawn result.

Ballinora, last year’s IAFC champions, had led 2-7 to 0-9 at half‑time, but the corrected scoring sequence has changed the outcome entirely, placing Fermoy into the quarter‑finals against Rockchapel. Macroom will meet Naomh Abán in the other quarter-final tie.

Both of those games are down for Sunday week.

In their statement, Ballinora said it was “most disappointing” that the referee’s officially communicated scores and “the rules of fair play” were not applied. 

The club added that they “will now, it appears, disproportionately suffer” and highlighted that they have not been offered the opportunity to replay the match. 

They confirmed they are “fully considering” their position and have contacted Fermoy directly seeking a second chance to resolve the matter on the pitch.

The full Ballinora statement to The Echo read: “Ballinora GAA notes with huge disappointment the decision to award the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC Group 3 Round 3 game played on September 12th 2026 to Fermoy. 

"This followed a formal objection to the officially drawn game by Fermoy GAA, who sought to have the game awarded to them based on subsequently produced video evidence.

“It is most disappointing that as things stand, and at the end of what was a fine sporting game by both teams, the referee’s officially communicated half‑time and full‑time scoreline plus what Ballinora would deem as the rules of fair play, are not being applied here.

“Ballinora will, it now appears, disproportionately suffer as a result and, as things currently stand, will not be given the opportunity to get a second chance to play the match again on the field of play.

“Ballinora are currently fully considering its position on all matters. We would wish to be given the opportunity to conclude this matter on the field of play and have directly reached out to our sporting colleagues in Fermoy GAA in that regard.

“They wish to abide by the post‑match awarding of the game to them, but we will ask them again to consider the position.

“We wish to sincerely thank all of those who have provided overwhelming recent support in respect of this matter.

“No further club statements or public communication will be issued until further notice.

“Yours in Sport, Ballinora GAA Club & Premier Intermediate Football Team and Management.”