Kerry mull over next move in Galvin saga

KERRY GAA chairman Jerome Conway last night expressed his deep annoyance and frustration at the decision of Croke Park’s Central Hearings Committee (CHC) not to quash Paul Galvin’s eight-week ban.

Footballer of the Year Galvin was dismissed in the opening quarter of the Kingdom’s NFL defeat to Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn following a clash with Eoin Cadogan. As it was Galvin’s second infraction in a 48-week period, the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) proposed an eight-week ban for the Finuge man.

Kerry chiefs took their appeal to the CHC and despite what Kerry believe is “conclusive proof” that cleared Galvin of striking, the suspension remains in place, ruling the All-Star attacker out until the final round of the league on April 11.

Galvin was reported by referee Maurice Deegan for “striking with the hand”, and sought a hearing after refuting the CCCC suspension.

Conway said: “I am very disappointed for Paul. All neutrals at the game felt that it was a harsh sending off. I have no comment to make on the suggestions that officials are targeting Paul Galvin – that is for others to decide. But I would be extremely disappointed if that was the case.”

He added: “It is a huge blow for us ahead of the game at the weekend given the number of players who have retired, gone to Australia and the fact that we have a Munster U-21 championship game coming less than a week away.”

Cork GAA officials also confirmed that Eoin Cadogan lost his appeal against a four-week ban arising from the same incident. However, he will only miss Saturday’s NFL game at home to Galway, as his period of suspension is up at midnight on the night before Cork’s away clash with Tyrone in Omagh.

Cadogan was also reported for striking with the hand, with the ban limited to the same code and at the same level.

GAA president Christy Cooney yesterday gave his public backing to the decision and defended the length of time it took for the relevant body to announce the result of their deliberations.

The Central Hearings Committee met to discuss the case on Thursday night and, though it took until yesterday for the decisions to be announced, Cooney declared that he had no issue with the time lapse.

“I know there was some work that the committee had to do and they did that and they announced that. I don’t even know if the committee met (Monday) or not but they needed clarification on one or two points.

“They did that and they announced it as quickly as possible. I don’t believe that there was any major delay and I believe it was the right verdict. Honestly now, I believe that our discipline committees work very well and do a very good job.”

Meanwhile, Cooney has declared that it is not the responsibility of referees to ensure that hurlers are wearing certified helmets or helmets which have not been interfered with in any way.

Large numbers of hurlers are still using helmets which do not meet with specific health and safety standards while others have altered headgear, specifically faceguards, since the new regulations came into effect this year.

“It is not the referee’s responsibility,” said Cooney. “It is the responsibility of the individual player and the club and the county board to make sure that players are wearing helmets as specified.

“Because, in the event of them having a serious accident and they are not wearing a helmet as specified, they will not be covered by insurance. It is in everybody’s interest.

“If we did not come up with a good standard specification that was in the interest of the safety of players, you would be criticising us. So, that’s what we are trying to do.”