No problem over Connolly decision

THE GAA’s disciplinary system was in the spotlight last night after Dublin attacker Diarmuid Connolly was cleared to play in the All-Ireland football final against Kerry.

Connolly was red-carded by Maurice Deegan, on the advice of linesman Rory Hickey, following a clash with Marty Boyle in the semi-final win over Donegal.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) confirmed an automatic four-week, one-match ban for the incident which Deegan deemed ‘striking with the hand’ in his report. However, the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) has now downgraded the offence to engaging ‘in any other form of rough play’ with no ban incurred.

In a statement yesterday, GAA chiefs revealed that: “[Connolly], who was reported by the referee for ‘striking with the hand’ requested a hearing as he chose not to accept the penalty proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee. The Central Hearings Committee found that the evidence presented disclosed an infraction but one less serious than that alleged, that is to say, ‘to engage in any other form of rough play’. Accordingly no suspension was imposed.”

National Referees’ Association chairman Mick Curley last night said he wouldn’t ‘begrudge’ Connolly’sappearance in the decider against Kerry on September 18.

He said: “I know there has been a lot made of this story because of the All-Ireland final but my attitude is that cases such as this should be dealt with in the same way whatever the stage of the competition. There has been plenty of media coverage because of what is at stake but the same procedures were open to him as they would be to a player sent off in the first round of the championship.

“Any player is entitled to challenge suspensions and have his case heard. Diarmuid Connolly went through those procedures and has been exonerated. We have no problem with that.”

Curley defined the phrase “other form of rough play” as the “likes of pulling a player down to the ground, going rough into a tackle where there was no need for it.

“It is a ‘cover all’ term not specifically assigned to any one tackle.”