Amy Greene restored as Ulster Novice winner as Athletics NI admits error

Finn Valley AC athlete Amy Greene has been reinstated as the Ulster Novice Cross Country gold medalist.

Athletics NI have confirmed that a decision to deem the Rosses native ineligible was incorrect.

In the days after the race in Stranorlar on November 5, a decision was taken to disqualify Greene and elevate race runner-up Ciara Cunningham (Tir Chonaill AC).

Following the lodgement of an appeal by Finn Valley AC, an independent appeals panel was set up and Athletics NI have now corrected the error.

Athletics NI say it apologies for the incident and has admitted that due process was not followed.

“Post-event a query about the athlete’s eligibility was brought to the attention of Athletics NI, on which basis Amy was then disqualified,” Athletics NI said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, in this instance the due process to address the query of eligibility was not followed, which lead to the athlete being disqualified unfairly. 

“An Independent Appeals panel has since met to investigate the claim of eligibility and review all evidence submitted since the original query and the decision has been made to reinstate Amy as the winner of the 2023 Novice Cross Country Championships.”

Athletics NI say that a formal apology has been sent to the athlete - who has since sealed a place on the Irish U20 team for the forthcoming European Cross Country Championships - and her coach, Helen McCready.

The statement added: “Athletics NI work with the Ulster Athletics Council to ensure the rules of all joint competitions are agreed upon and communicated to our athletics community. Again, we apologise for this mistake and will reflect upon our processes and make relevant changes to ensure this does not happen in the future.”

Finn Valley’s women’s team of Greene, Nuala Bose, Martina Quinn and Joanna McNabb have also been restored as the team silver medalists.

Finn Valley AC Chairperson Dermot McGranaghan said: “Finn Valley AC welcomes the confirmation of the decision of the Independent Appeals panel to reinstate Amy Greene as the winner.

“Finn Valley AC was confident of this outcome at all times throughout this process. Finn Valley AC also welcomes the undertaking to reflect on processes in order that this does not happen again.”