Limerick basketball team to play 0.3 seconds of bizarre match replay

IN A bizarre turn of events Limerick Sport Eagles men's division one team will play only 0.3 seconds against Portlaoise Panthers in the quarter-final replay this week. 

This ruling comes after a Basketball Ireland statement on behalf of the National League committee was announced yesterday, Tuesday, that the 0.3 seconds of the quarter-final will be played only. 

Basketball Ireland have made this statement after a week of controversy surrounding the game in which Eagles originally won in Portlaoise, 80-78, after former Irish international captain Jason Killeen netted a pair of free throws upon being adjudged to have been fouled in the act of shooting as the buzzer sounded.

After these scores Eagles had rightly assumed they had booked their semi-final spot against Moy Tolka Rovers in the next stage of the competition, however after Portlaoise's appeal on the grounds that the free throws should not have been permitted as the clock had expired at the same time that the foul had been called, Eagles were notified that their semi-final had been canceled. 

During the week since the original fixture the National Appeals Committee initially ordered that Portlaoise Panthers’ quarter-final against Limerick Sport Eagles was to be replayed in it's entirety following its controversial conclusion recently.

This has now since been changed by Basketball Ireland who stated that the National Appeals Committee had "incorrectly stated that the club had the option to appeal".

The statement announced by Basketball Ireland read as follows:

"Basketball Ireland and the National League Committee (NLC) have been in regular contact with the clubs involved in the InsureMyVan.ie division one fixture.

"On Monday 25th March, the NLC informed Portlaoise Panters that a referee’s decision cannot be overturned and the result from their game with Limerick Sport Eagles would stand. However it incorrectly stated that the club had the option to appeal to the National Appeals Committee (NAC).

"On Wednesday 27th March the National Appeals Committee ruled that the game should be replayed in its entirety. Basketball Ireland and the National League Committee acknowledge this decision by the NAC. 

“However – as stated previously – this option to appeal to the NAC was granted in error by the National League Committee because on-court refereeing decisions cannot be overturned. The NLC has ruled that the fixture will not be replayed in full, however the remaining 0.3 seconds of the quarter-final, is to be played this week and Basketball Ireland will be in liaison with the clubs to determine when.

"This decision made by the NLC – adjudged the competent body as governors of the National League in line with FIBA regulations – invokes clause C.5 of FIBA regulations which stages: ‘The decision of the competent body is also considered as a field of play rule decision and is not subject to further review or appeal’.

“This ruling by the NLC is taken to ensure the integrity of National League competition. The team who advances to the semi-final will play MOY Tolka Rovers.

“Basketball Ireland will finalise details of this fixture in due course, with the InsureMyVan.ie Division One playoff final to take place at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday 13th April.

“Basketball Ireland and the NLC will be making no further comment on the matter.”

A statement on behalf of the National League Committee (NLC) regarding the https://t.co/CVP9Q9HhyM Division One Playoff game between Portlaoise Panthers and Limerick Sport Eagles. pic.twitter.com/hP1jWy2kdH

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) April 2, 2024