Down county board have escaped with a paltry EUR250 fine after a senior football challenge match caused a 38-minute delay to the start of the Ulster SHC quarter-final between Armagh and London at Newry on May 24. The Armagh and London hurlers were furious after their championship encounter was delayed because it was preceded by the behind-closed-doors football challenge between Down and Cork at Pairc Esler. Both hurling teams were forced to wait because the dressing-rooms were being vacated by the football teams. Despite this, the Central Competitions Control Committee fined Down just EUR250 for contravening Rule 143b. The rules states that "an inter-county challenge shall be sanctioned by a provincial or a Central Council." Cork escaped punishment because they had informed Croke Park that they would be taking part in a series of challenge matches prior to their Munster SFC semi-final against Limerick. Tweet

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