Romer’s minor final ban is overturned

“Relieved and delighted”, was the reaction of Kilmaley’s Niall Romer to the news that his appeal against a two-month ban following a fracas in the Minor A Hurling Championship final was successful.
“I am delighted that it’s over. I didn’t want any problems for anyone involved but I was determined to prove my innocence. This was one occasion when I did absolutely nothing wrong,” he told The Clare Champion.
Romer trained Kilmaley to win the title at Clarecastle’s expense. A fracas involving a number of mentors from both sides took place during the second half and attracted much media attention. Spectators also scaled the railing to get involved.
It resulted in Clare GAA setting up a committee to investigate what happened after which Clarecastle’s Tom Howard (manager), Anthony Daly (coach) and Stephen Sheedy (selector) along with Romer were suspended, while there were heavy fines imposed on both clubs.
Romer argued from the outset that he was innocent and he sought a personal hearing that concluded last Friday. The Kilmaley man was notified of the outcome on Sunday, as were Bord na nÓg Iomaint who organised the championship.
Back in November, following an investigation that took six weeks, Romer and Howard were handed two-month bans with Daly and Sheedy receiving one-month suspensions. Clarecastle were handed a €3,000 fine while Kilmaley were fined €2,000.
Romer, who is currently serving a six-month ban for an incident at an earlier game in the same championship, went on to say, “It took from a great Minor Hurling Championship that any one of four or five teams could have won. I followed through because I was determined to prove my innocence. The incident was highlighted nationally and I was upset about that. There was something else going on behind the scenes to have a go at me over things that happened last year”.
Romer went on to “thank the hearings committee who showed common sense when they saw the evidence”. It is understood that he produced strong photographic evidence to support his case
He also thanked the Kilmaley club for their support and “the few County Board officials who helped me. I am proud of my name and my family who were very upset about all this”.
The former Clare player will continue to be involved with his club.
“I hope to be back involved in the club when my other suspension is served. This incident hasn’t changed my mind that the GAA is a great organisation and I hope to be involved for many years to come. I was approached by a number of other clubs to get involved with them but I couldn’t as my heart is in Kilmaley,” he said.