The Macra national debating final has been thrown into doubt on the eve of the event, with an objection to one of the contestants being heard on Friday night, 24 hours before the final is due to take place.

The debating final is to be between Bree from Wexford and Donoughmore from the Muskerry region of Cork on Saturday evening in Mallow Community Centre.

Objection

Bree qualified for the final by beating East Laois two weeks ago.

An objection from the Laois club was sent by registered post and arrived within the period permitted for objections, but wasn't discovered until Thursday.

The Bree team was informed of the objection yesterday and that the appeal would be heard this Friday evening in Abbeyleix.

Bree is unhappy at such a level of disruption so close to an event which requires a significant level of preparation.

It is understood the objection to the semi-final result is in relation to alleged excessive heckling

The Wexford team was already less than impressed with the fact that the event takes place in Cork, where Donoughmore hail from, and will have a presiding officer from Cork, who is tasked with refereeing on issues such as excessive heckling.

It is understood the objection to the semi-final result is in relation to alleged excessive heckling.

Cork judges

The Cork influence dosn't stop there. The three judges are understood to be from Cork as well.

Bree has pointed to the fact that the chair of the national competitions committee is from Donoughmore club, as is the current president James Healy.

Healy has rescued himself from being involved in the objection because of this.

Current national chair Thomas Duffy will chair the appeal.

As of this Wednesday, Duffy, a farmer from Cavan, is the president-elect to succeed James Healy, being the only nominated candidate for the position.

If it goes ahead, it is sure to be a spicy affair after all that has occurred

Macra points out that the judges, while from Cork county, are not from the Muskerry region.

The other Cork regions, Avondhu, Carbery and Seandún are, in Macra terms, separate counties.

The motion for Saturday night's event, should it take place, is "That Macra na Ferime is as relevant today as it was in 1944".

Should the appeal succeed, the event will inevitably be postponed.

If it goes ahead, it is sure to be a spicy affair after all that has occurred.

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