Newmarket expected to appeal match bans

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OFFICIALS in Clare soccer circles are keeping tight-lipped on the suspensions issued to Newmarket Celtic manager Paddy Purcell and striker Darragh Leahy.

The Clare Echo understands that three game bans were issued to Leahy and Purcell following Newmarket’s second round win over Avenue Utd B in the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup.

Their absence was felt as Celtic exited the Cup on Sunday in a 3-1 defeat to Avenue Utd A played at Roslevan.

These bans only apply to domestic games meaning Leahy and Purcell are entitled to be involved in Sunday’s Munster Junior Cup quarter-final tie away to Ferrybank FC of Waterford.

Secretary of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL), Denis Collins said “no decisions” have been made by the Committee when contacted by The Clare Echo to have made contact with Madden days after his departure.

A spokesperson for Newmarket Celtic stated in response to The Clare Echo, “we do not wish to discuss this matter”. Club officials are set to meet the CDSL on Monday in a bid to get the suspensions reduced.

Meanwhile, two periods of ten minutes will be played this weekend as Lifford FC and Bridge Celtic finish off their clash in the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup. The tie between the sides was abandoned two weeks ago when the sides were level 2-2. The Ennis club are also understood to be unhappy with suspensions handed out following this game.

He had been an ever-present part of the CDSL Committee up until June 2020 when he was defeated in a vote at the AGM by Manus Celtic’s Derek Dormer, he was also unsuccessful in retaining his role as FAI Junior Council Delegate with Donie Garrihy winning the vote by a significant majority.

Jim returned as PRO in 2021 when a host of new officers joined the CDSL Committee with former registrar Jason Ryan taking on the role of Chairman. Madden was elected unopposed for that AGM and the 2022 AGM.

During his time involved in Clare soccer, Jim was one of the key figures involved in the development of the County Grounds which have since been renamed Frank Healy Park. He was Chairman of the CDSL when Clare won the Oscar Traynor title for the first time.