Fury over Mullane ban

RAGE swept through Waterford Gaeldom yesterday at the 12-week suspension handed down to county hurling star John Mullane by the Games Administration Committee.

The lengthy suspension means Mullane will miss the remainder of the National League campaign as well as Waterford’s first round Munster championship game against Kerry at Walsh Park on May 18.

The only bright spot is that the suspension expires on the eve of the June 1 Munster championship semi-final against Limerick should Waterford confirm first round favouritism.

The lengthy ban was slapped on the De La Salle club man following a detailed investigation by a sub-committee of the GAC into an incident during an U21 club challenge game between De La Salle and Kilkenny club Mullinavat late last year.

Mullane steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout, insisting the injury was a complete accident.

However, the members of the investigating committee have not accepted his version of events. As a consequence he now faces the 12-week ban which dates from last Sunday when he starred in his county’s league victory over Laois.

The punishment handed out to Mullane has shocked members of Mullane’s own club, one of whom predicts the last has not been heard of the whole affair.

“It is a scandalous decision, one devoid of all element of justice,” the De La Salle member said, adding that the whole question of an appeal would now have to be looked at.

A senior Waterford County Board official also strongly criticised the way Mullane has been dealt with and said he and his fellow board officials are “deeply shocked” by the conclusions the GAC reached. Asked if the board would be considering an appeal on the player’s behalf, the official said initially it is a matter for the De La Salle club.

Meanwhile, to avoid a clash with the Six Nations game between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road on Sunday March 30, the GAC has brought forward all National League games scheduled for that date to Saturday 29.

The Ireland soccer team play Georgia in a European qualifier that same day.

In the event of draws ensuing in next Monday’s All-Ireland club senior hurling and football championship finals, Saturday March 29 has also been set as the date for the replays.

Should Nemo Rangers and Crossmolina draw on St Patrick’s Day, the replay will take place in Galway. If Birr and Dunloy end all square their final the rematch will be staged in Clones.

And although it has not been officially announced yet, the ailing Railway Cup competition is all set to get an exciting shot-in-the-arm this year with the playing of the inter-provincial hurling final in Rome on the second weekend in November.