Murray may get three-month suspension

CORK footballer Fionán Murray faces the threat of a three-month suspension following his dismissal in Sunday’s game against Limerick.

Either way, he will not be free to continue playing with his club, St Finbarr's, in the county championship in the meantime.

While the recent GAA congress adopted a rule change which has the effect of separating club and inter-county suspensions, this is only applicable in cases where players are suspended for non-serious offences. In Murray's case, the length of his suspension will depend on what the referee reports him for either for dangerous play or kicking, which carry one and three-month terms, respectively.

The referee did not see the actual incident, which happened late in the second half, but it was reported to him by the near-side linesman. Cork were awarded a free which Murray stepped up to take.

As he did, the Limerick captain Muiris Gavin stood in front of him, blocking his path.

Murray went ahead with the kick, but television pictures show that he held on to the ball and made contact with Gavin in the thigh.

Murray only recently served an eight-week suspension, dating from the League match against Roscommon on February 16.

He had been sent off in the opening round against Kerry on February, being yellow-carded initially for a playing offence and then getting a second yellow and a red after reportedly challenging the decision.

Only in cases where players are sent off for repeat offences within a 12-month period are suspensions doubled.