Scott banned for punching Geraghty in test
An International Rules Series Tribunal panel of Liam Mulvihill, Pat Daly and Andrew Demetriou (AFL) met by telephone hook-up on Wednesday and accepted the guilty plea made by the Brisbane player.
The three game ban, rules him out of the 2003 series in Australia and one game in 2004.
The tribunal received written statements from both Scott and referee Scott McLaren, who cited him for striking, and also viewed video evidence of the incident. Scott pleaded guilty but said in his submission that he made contact with Geraghty after being provoked: “I regret my actions in striking Graham. The games between the two sides were played in a very good spirit, and I accept there is no place in any code for that kind of behaviour.”
Referee McLaren, in his statement, confirmed that contact had been made by Scott but did not see any evidence of provocation from Geraghty.
The tribunal stated it would not accept violence in any form in the International Rules Series code. Such actions would not be tolerated in the respective codes of the GAA and AFL and would be dealt with severely.
“We believe this penalty should send a clear message to all players who participate in this series that on-field violence will not be tolerated and harsh penalties will be imposed,” chairman Liam Mulvihill said. “The tribunal also wishes to state the series was played, in general, in good spirit and all parties in this matter should be congratulated for their co-operation and honesty in dealing with this matter.”
Meanwhile Wexford’s Leigh O’Brien has been chosen as a Vodafone All Star replacement and will travel with the All Star party to the US on January 15. O’Brien, an All-Star nominee last month, is one of a number of replacements who have been called up for the tour, which will include an exhibition match in San Diego on January 18 between the All Star selections of 2001 and 2002.
Armagh’s goalkeeper Benny Tierney has also received a call-up and others joining the tour will be David Mitchell (Westmeath), Gareth Doherty (Derry), Chris Lawn (Tyrone) and Declan Browne (Tipperary).
Seven members of Armagh’s All-Ireland winning team will tour. Kieran McGeeney leads the party that also includes Oisin McConville, Paul McGrane, Steven McDonnell, Enda McNulty, Aidan O’Rourke and Tierney. Armagh’s team manager Joe Kernan will take charge of the 2002 selection and John O’Mahony will manage the 2001 team.
The Vodafone All Star exhibition match at the Southwestern College grounds in San Diego is one of a number of events being held in the south California city in the build-up to the Super Bowl.
Longford’s John Bannon has been chosen to referee the game. Vodafone, the All Star sponsors, have also announced that in conjunction with Cumann Luthcleas Gael they will make the annual Referee of the Year award presentation at a special celebration in San Diego.
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