Tummery confirm protest following Junior Cup semi-final defeat

TUMMERY Athletic have confirmed that they have lodged a protest against Enniskillen Rangers for having a suspended player in attendance during Wednesday evening’s fonaCAB Irish Junior Cup semi-final at Ferney Park.

Rangers triumphed 3-1 on the night after Michael Kerr’s team blew their opponents out of the water with three goals in a blistering 17-minute spell in the first half.

However, within 24 hours it was rumoured that the Dromore side was considering lodging a protest on the grounds that suspended player, Jordan McClure, was in attendance in some capacity.

While McClure did not participate in the tie itself, Tummery are claiming that the rules clearly state that he should not have been in attendance.

Tummery boss, Ryan Hanna, said that their suspended player, Kevin McAleer, was not involved in any shape or form, and McClure should have done likewise.

“Kevin was ruled out; he played no part on match day. He had to pay in as a spectator, he sat in the stand and kept away from the dressing rooms. We will wait and see what happens,” he said.

Many observers were stunned when news broke of Tummery’s protest, and it remains to be seen how the disciplinary authorities or an appeals board will view it, given the player had no active influence on the tie.

Tummery and Rangers meet again at Ferney Park later this month in the semi-final of the Mulhern Cup.

MATCH REPORT AND REACTION IN TODAY’S TYRONE HERALD