Kells team unable to muster 11 players for crucial game
A top team in the North East Football League, Kells/Blackwater, cannot muster 11 players to play a crucial home game tomorrow.
Officials from the club, that hosts one of the biggest under-age pre-season soccer tournaments in the country, have informed the NEFL they are unable to field a team against Rock Celtic tomorrow.
"This fixture would have been a vital concluding fixture for the division as depending on the result it could have meant a League title win for Rock Celtic, or a possible title play-off involving Carrick Rovers and Athboy Celtic," commented a NEFL official to the Meath Chronicle.
"The news of their intent comes as a huge disappointment to the NEFL in our efforts to promote football in the North East," added the League official.
The game was of no significance for Kells / Blackwater as they were already relegated, but this development could make it more difficult for them to satisfy affiliation criteria for next season.
While the matter is likely to result in disciplinary action, it is also likely to be discussed at the forthcoming AGM of the NEFL on Tuesday 29th May next.
Also relegated is another team from Meath - Navan Town - and that club has also endured a challenging season and has an AGM scheduled for next month on Tuesday 8th May.
DIVISION 1 TABLE AFTER LAST WEEKEND
Carrick Rovers 18 12 2 4 41 22 38
Rock Celtic 17 11 3 3 44 24 36
Athboy Celtic 17 11 2 4 40 26 35
Enfield Celtic 17 9 1 7 48 26 28
Kentstown 17 9 1 7 39 30 28
Square Utd 17 7 2 8 30 36 23
Trim Town 16 6 2 8 32 39 20
Johnstown 18 6 0 12 32 46 18
Kells/B'water 17 4 1 12 23 47 13
Navan Town 18 3 2 13 18 51 11
Rock Celtic will be officially awarded the points at the next NEFL committee meeting and that will secure the 2017 / 2018 Div 1 title for the Dundalk team based in Blackrock
THIS WEEK'S DIV 1 FIXTURES
Kells-Blackwater v Rock Celtic
Trim Town v Kentstown Rovers
Square Utd v Athboy Celtic
MIDWEEK
Enfield v Trim Town