Despite Kildare's appeal over the blood substitution row being turned down by the GAA's Central Appeals Comittee (CAC) last night the ongoing saga will continue as the country board will now take their case to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
The CAC turned down Kildare's appeal after the Leinster Council last week allowed Offaly's win over Kildare in the Leinster Senior Football Championship at Croke Park to stand. Offaly won the quarter-final clash 3-09 to 0-15 but their opponents claim they made six substitutions, one more than is allowed.
However, the row surrounds Pascal Kellaghan, who was forced off in the first half, with James Coughlan replacing him under the blood substitution ruling. Kellaghan then came back on for the second half but replaced Trevor Phelan instead of Coughlan. Offaly also brought on four more more players during the fixture.
Whatever decision the DRA makes it will bring the ongoing saga to a conclusion, one way or the other. As it stands, Tyrone referee Michael Hughes' match report confirmed that Offaly had not broken the rules and that they will advance to play Wexford in the Leinster semi-final this Sunday.