Kenny in dark on possibility of ban after ‘Cha’ hurley jab

NO NEWS is good news, though not necessarily in the case of Cork hurler Tom Kenny, who is facing the possibility of suspension following the controversial incident near the end of last Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kilkenny.

The matter has yet to be debated by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee.

During a break in play, television pictures showed Kenny hurting James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick with a hurley jab, following which the young Kilkenny midfielder was removed from the field on a motorised stretcher.

Over the busy period of the summer months, the practice for the CCCC has been to meet on Monday mornings to review referees’ reports and make decisions on fixtures and venues.

However, there was no meeting this week and the committee is not scheduled to meet until next Monday. The reason for the delay is that some members are on holiday.

Kenny has won the support of some Kilkenny officials, who feel that there is no need for him to be censured and apart from the fact that the Grenagh man has an impeccable record for sportsmanship, his immediate reaction after Fitzpatrick (a former UCC team-mate) dropped to the ground indicated concern as well as remorse.

Nevertheless, the prevailing view nationally would be that the CCCC is obliged to review the incident, typified by the private comment of one GAA insider that it would be ‘amazing’ if it were to be passed over ‘in the present climate’.

With Cork out of the championship a suspension at this stage would only hurt Kenny’s reputation and not debar him from playing with his club.

Under the relevant category (3), ‘striking with the hurley, either with force or causing injury’ carries a minimum suspension of eight weeks ‘in the same code and at the same level, inclusive of the next game in the same competition’.

lIn Paul Galvin’s case, his suspension related to ‘all codes and at all levels,’ which entailed a complete ban on playing at any level.