Kelly calls for ‘speedy decision’ as possible

THE GAA’s disciplinary body, the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC), tonight begins the investigation of the controversial NFL tie between Tyrone and Dublin in Omagh last Sunday.

CDC bosses will view a tape of the ill-tempered affair, in which 14 yellow cards were issued by Paddy Russell. Eight players from Dublin and six from Tyrone received cards with one from each side receiving a straight red and two more sent off after second yellow card offences.

Based on procedure, the nine-man CDC will be prevented from increasing any penalties imposed by referee Russell. However such players, could face charges for involvement in incidents other than those disciplined by the match official.

The CDC's approach to video evidence is largely determined by the decision taken in the Ryan McMenamin case last August.

The Tyrone defender was yellow-carded for an incident in the Ulster final against Armagh, and was subsequently suspended by the CDC.

When an appeal against that decision failed, Tyrone brought his case before the newly-established Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

The DRA found in McMenamin's favour ruling that the CDC were not empowered to "revisit" an incident dealt with by the referee. Accordingly, they rescinded his suspension.

Armagh players Paul McGrane and Ciaran McKeever also suspended were promptly reinstated as a consequence of the ruling.

At the time, a Croke Park statement pointed out that the technical and legal points referred to would be addressed "as a matter of expediency." The understanding is it will need a motion at next Congress to change the rule.

The CDC is chaired by Con Hogan from Tipperary and includes two members from each province.

At the behest of GAA President Sean Kelly, a scheduled meeting was brought forward to tonight, when the members will view the match video.

Mr Kelly has made it known that he wishes the investigation to be carried out as speedily as possible, though he emphasised the matter must not be rushed, pointing out due process would have to be followed.

Dublin have "strongly refuted" suggestions they were main culprits in Sunday's game, while the approach of Tyrone, articulated by Board Chairman Pat Darcy, was that they were not prepared to get into the blame game.

Tyrone footballer Sean Cavanagh has made no attempt to play down the violence which marred the game.

"I haven't been part of a game of gaelic football like the game in Omagh," Cavanagh said.

"It certainly was not acceptable and I'm sure the disciplinary committee will take heavy action on it."

Cavanagh pointed to Tyrone's recent disciplinary record but he now fears the county could face heavy penalties.

"It's definitely not a great advertisement for gaelic football. It's pretty weird considering the games Tyrone and Dublin had last year in the championship, which were two of the best games in the All-Ireland series.

"Anybody that has seen Tyrone in the past knows that Tyrone go out to play football but certainly there wasn't too much football played.

"I'm not going to stand here and defend any players, either from Tyrone or Dublin. It's not part of my game and it's not part of the game of an awful lot of other players that were playing.

"But if players did something wrong, then they have to take their punishment."

Cavanagh added that the scenes were "maybe even worse" than the violence which marred last year's International Rules series in Australia.