Wexford referee Ian Plunkett, who was supposed to act as an umpire at Croke Park on Sunday, is appealing his proposed 24-week suspension arising from the infamous game that never was.
Plunkett, who is secretary of the Marshalstown/Castledockrell club, was named as referee for the Ballyhogue v Clongeen County Division 5B Football League fixture earlier this year - a contest which never materialised as Clongeen were unable to field (they only had twelve men available).
A walkover should have been awarded but, instead, Plunkett is alleged to have lodged a full match report, including teams and a final scoreline.
The Wexford man was listed to act as one of James Owens' umpires for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford but was dropped after being hit with a proposed six-month ban by his county's Competitions Control Committee.
"I have lodged an appeal. I did not hear of the recommendation until Friday night," he told The Irish Independent. "I immediately lodged an appeal the following day in the hope that it would have been heard before Sunday's game, but that did not happen. I cannot comment any further at the moment."
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