Former Donegal footballer Eamon McGee believes that the All-Ireland club football final replay between Glen (Derry) and Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) will not go ahead, despite the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee ruled that a replay was to go ahead at a hearing this week.
Crokes won the game 1-11 to 1-9 on Sunday, January 22, but the game was marred by controversy near fulltime.
Evidence appeared that the Stillorgan club had 16 active players, one more than the allowed amount during the final play of the game.
With Glen looking to score in the dying seconds in the Croke Park final on 22 January, Kilmacud made two substitutions, but video showed Dara Mullin, one of the players substituted off, defending his goal line as Glen prepared to take a 45.
And 17 Kilmacud players appeared on the pitch during the last play as Paul Mannion slowly walked towards the dugout area after being substituted.
Crokes went onto to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup, but the aftermath of the game has been dominated by debate over a replay going ahead.
The GAA's CCC on Tuesday said that the replay would go ahead, but no date has been arranged for the final between the sides.
Former Donegal footballer Eamon McGee was speaking to @morningireland https://t.co/lAVuXIDDOi
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 1, 2023
Pundits and former players have all agreed that the game should go to a replay, but some don't believe that it will happen.
Eamon McGee, a former All-Ireland winner with Donegal was interviewed on RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Wendsday and was asked by the presenter what he wanted to happen.
"I personally think the game should be played and both teams should just get on board the process now," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Wednesday.
"I know Kilmacud are going to appeal but for me the issue is fairly black and white. There were 16 players so I don't see what way they would go with the appeal. So just play the game and see how things pan out. “
He was then asked what would happen in the same interview and said that he believed that Kilmacud wouldn't play the game after the saga.
"I don't think the game will be played at all. I don't know is the appetite there in Kilmacud to play the game," he added.
"The GAA loves its technicalities so if Kilmacud go down the appeal route, there's bound to be some technicality they can get off on, start the appeal and delay.
"The longer it goes on, the less appetite both teams will have. But I personally don't see any game being played. Kilmacud, the rumours are going that they're just going to say to Glen, 'Just take the cup with you, we've won it on the field' so we'll see how it pans out."
