DCU to appeal suspensions of top players

DUBLIN City University are set to appeal the 12 weeks suspensions imposed on three of their players by the Higher Educational Authority (Comhairle Ard Oideachais).

As a result of the suspensions Ross Munnelly (Laois) Diarmuid Kinsella (Wexford) and Shane Ryan (Dublin) have been ruled out of next year’s Sigerson Cup and the opening round of the 2006 National Football League with their respective counties.

All three players were handed three month bans for playing illegally with DCU in the recent Division One Senior Football League semi-final victory over SLigo IT.

The final against UCC had been provisionally pencilled in for early next February but DCU may now be ruled out of the competition when they are called before the CAO.

A fourth prominent inter-county player, Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan, is likely to face a similar fate when his case is dealt with shortly by the CAO. Dolan also played in the same match.

Munnelly said he was bitterly disappointed and hurt that anyone would think he would play illegally, which would have serious consequences for his college and county.

“As far as I am concerned under no circumstances would I have played if I thought I was ineligible.

DCU football chairman, John O’Reilly said he was also disappointed at the turn of events. “I don’t want to comment any further right now other than to say the college will be exercising its right to appeal the decisions to a higher body.”

University of Limerick were the last third level institution to be ruled out of higher educational competition when DCU objected to their eligibility to take part in the Fitzgibbon Cup in 2001.