Cats duo hit with hefty suspensions

KILKENNY paid a heavy price for their ill-discipline in last Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final when two of their players were hit with suspensions for unsavoury incidents during the Croke Park game.

Wing-forward Eoin Larkin received a four week ban, but corner-back John Dalton was hit with a hefty eight week suspension as a result of the deliberations of the GAA’s disciplinary body, the CCCC.

In a statement last night, Kilkenny secretary Ned Quinn confirmed neither player will be appealing those suspensions.

In the 26th minute Kilkenny wing-forward Eoin Larkin received a straight red card for striking Dublin wing-forward Conor McCormack; later, having had the ball in the net only to see it disallowed – the half-time whistle had already sounded – the same player, McCormack, jostled with Dalton, who then jabbed him a number of times with his hurley.

That incident was missed by referee Michael Wadding of Waterford but was picked up on camera.

Larkin will be available for Kilkenny’s first championship match, the Leinster semi-final on June 11 against Wexford/Laois/Antrim, while Dalton would be eligible for the Leinster final, should Kilkenny make it that far, on July 3.