Carton disciplinary saga continues to rumble on

PEADAR CARTON may be included in the Dublin attack for Sunday’s All-Ireland U-21 hurling final, but his eligibility to play remains in doubt following the unprecedented decision of the GAA’s Central Council to challenge a decision to lift the eight-week suspension originally imposed on him.

An appeal to the Central Appeals Committee resulted in the suspension being overturned, but the matter has now been referred to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

This course of action is being taken because of what was described in a statement issued from Croke Park yesterday as ‘concerns regarding the validity of the decision taken by the CAC.’ The statement pointed out that the Central Council had decided to refer the matter to the DRA and that arrangements were made to hold a meeting as soon as possible.

Carton, named at right corner-forward on the team to meet Galway, received his suspension from the

Central Hearings Committee following an incident in the hurling qualifier game against Tipperary in Parnell Park in July, when Tipp full-back Paul Curran received a serious facial injury.

However, an appeal lodged with the Central Appeals Committee proved successful.

While it’s normal practice not to explain the reasoning behind committee decisions, it’s rumoured that Dublin made a successful challenge on the basis of a procedural issue. And it has also been suggested that in the event of the appeal being turned down, they were prepared to seek a hearing from the DRA themselves.

For that reason, it’s not unexpected that the issue is to be heard by the DRA, except that the idea of the

Central Council giving approval for a challenge to one its own committees is highly unusual to say the least.

Because of the urgency of the matter, it’s likely that the DRA will issue a ruling by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.