Freeman gets Farney board backing for DRA move

MONAGHAN GAA chiefs last night confirmed that Tommy Freeman is taking his case to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

Star forward Freeman received an eight-week ban following his team’s Ulster SFC defeat against Derry on May 24 for “attempting to strike with the head”.

Currently Freeman is ruled out of his team’s mouthwatering All-Ireland qualifier against provincial rivals Armagh on Saturday week, July 4.

Indeed, Freeman’s ban keeps him out of the first three rounds of qualifiers, should Monaghan get that far, as the he is not eligible again for intercounty football until July 19.

Teammate Dermot McArdle said yesterday that Freeman would be a huge loss for Monaghan and insisted the punishment was harsh.

“Yeah, I would say it wasn’t the only head butt thrown in the game either,” said McArdle. “Maybe he was just caught on camera. I haven’t seen the match since but he was hard done by.

“He is a good player and he is getting abuse every day he goes out.

“As a corner-forward you get some element of abuse. He retaliates once and it is picked up. To get two months at a key point of the summer is huge.”

Last Wednesday night, the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee (CAC) upheld Monaghan’s latest appeal but referred the case back to the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) for reprocessing. While that happens Freeman remains suspended.

Monaghan have now exhausted all possible GAA disciplinary avenues and have decided to turn to the independent DRA. Farney County top brass met on Monday night and unanimously decided to back Freeman.

The suspension cannot be halved as the minimum ban for the reported offence is eight weeks. Monaghan are therefore seeking an exoneration and county board chairman John Connolly confirmed: “We held a management meeting and yes, we have made the decision that we’re going to the DRA.”

Monaghan submitted the necessary documentation last night and expect to have the Freeman case heard early next week, just days before the Armagh showdown in Clones.

Connolly added: “We have to go as far as we can to back our player. I know that Tommy’s a high-profile player but our panel is from one to 30 and no matter who it was, we would have done the same, hurling or football. I have to be confident. There’s no point in taking on something if we’re not but having said that, you’re never sure in a case like this.

“Tommy is disappointed. Coming off the pitch that day he was quite happy that he did his best for Monaghan but then the call came and it’s been nothing but hearings and appeals since. We were hoping to get the break but it hasn’t come. He would just like to have it all over now and a bit of justice is all that he’s looking for.”