DRA member ‘strenuously disagrees’ with Connolly verdict

The publication of the Disputes Resolution Authority’s decision to rescind Diarmuid Connolly’s red card earlier this month has laid bare a major rift between the tribunal panel which oversaw the case.

For only the second time in the 10-year history of the independent body established by the GAA, the judgement was not unanimous. Hugh O’Flaherty and David Nohilly found Dublin forward Connolly, in contesting his red card for striking Mayo’s Lee Keegan in the drawn All-Ireland semi-final last month, had not been afforded “fair procedures” by the GAA’s CCCC.

However, the other member, Meath-based solicitor, Brian Rennick, has presented a damning dissent of the decision. He claims the other members of the panel put forward the arguments on which basis they chose to overrule Connolly’s punishment, freeing him up to face Mayo in the replay.