Board will defend Galvin as far as DRA

KERRY GAA officials will defend Kingdom captain Paul Galvin all the way to the Disputes Resolution Authority in a bid to have his proposed six month ban shortened.

Galvin was before Croke Park’s Central Hearing committee last night, and on the presumption that the 24 week ban proposed by the CCCC is upheld, Kerry will proceed to the Central Appeals committee with their case.

Kerry secretary Eamonn O’Sullivan attended last night’s hearing with Galvin, who is still distraught by the incident. He has yet to return to Kerry training. Kerry officials will be keen to expedite their appeal route, with the Appeals committee hearing likely to hear Galvin’s case within a week.

However GAA president Nickey Brennan utterly dismissed suggestions that Galvin was now a victim of his own profile and reputation.

“I think it is fairly clear what the attitude of our association is this year towards misbehaviour on the field. I think that has been well signposted and I hope I don’t need to reiterate it again,” Brennan stated yesterday.

“We will not tolerate any incidents and I don’t care who that is or what county they are from. I don’t want to directly comment on the Paul Galvin situation because it is obviously in due process at the moment.”

Things look a little brighter for Galvin’s attacking colleague, Declan O’Sullivan, who successfully underwent an operation for damaged cartilage last week in Waterford.

Manager Pat O’Shea said the surgeon was “very happy” with the procedure, with O’Sullivan likely to come off crutches this week. A possible target date for a return is the All-Ireland quarter final or relevant stage of the qualifiers.