Monaghan appeal match forfeit
County officials are likely to have their case heard by the independent committee, whose decision is binding, before they face Louth tomorrow week.
Monaghan’s appeal against the Central Hearing Committee’s (CHC) judgement on their players’ involvement in a melee in their league game against Kildare was turned down by the Central Appeals Committee on Wednesday.
Speaking to RTÉ yesterday, Monaghan PRO John Kieran said:
“We’re looking for justice. We’re looking for punishment that fits the crime.
“We’d be of the view that the relevant actions taken by the referee should have been the end of the case.
“In terms of taking the views of people inside and outside the county, it’s ‘where is this going to stop?’
” Where to next and not just us as the guinea pigs in this new regime.”
Dublin will be without wing-back James McCarthy for this evening’s game against Laois after he unsuccessfully contested his proposed one-match ban to the CHC after his red card against Mayo last month.
The Ballymun Kickhams man was adjudged by referee Marty Duffy to have elbowed Alan Freeman while protecting the ball in his possession.
Crossmaglen have confirmed they will appeal Stephen Kernan’s four-week ban handed down by the CHC.
As it stands, the captain is set to miss the club’s All-Ireland final against Garrycastle next month for an off-the-ball incident in the semi-final against Kerry’s Dr Crokes.
“We cannot understand how they could have turned it down in view of previous decisions they have made,” said Crossmaglen PRO Tom McKay.
“Stephen was not the aggressor. He delivered the ball and was the victim of a late challenge.
“We will be exploring the avenues because we wouldn’t dream of promoting a case like this if it wasn’t merited.
“When our players have picked up red cards and deserved them they have taken their medicine.
“But we feel Stephen has not been treated fairly.”
Crossmaglen joint-manager Gareth O’Neill had also contested a charge of reported “abusive language towards a sideline official” against Dr Crokes.
The case was adjourned.
