The Macra na Feirme debating final will go ahead this Saturday night after an appeal over the semi-final result was dismissed by the competitions committee.

The Macra na Feirme competitions committee held a meeting in Abbeyleix on Friday 8 March.

Controversy

This year's Macra debate has been dogged by controversy after the losing team in the semi-final, East Laois Macra, sent an objection by registered post to Macra headquarters within the 14-day permitted period.

However, that objection was only discovered in Macra head offices on Thursday 7 March, with the final due to take place on Saturday 9 March.

The delay in the discovery of the objection further added to misgivings felt by the winning team in the semi-final, Bree Macra from Co Wexford.

Less than impressed

As previously reported, the Wexford team was already less than impressed with the fact that the event takes place in Cork, where their opposing team 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.

Read more

Macra debating result in doubt

One-horse race for Macra president