‘No significant fault or negligence’ led to cut in Brendan O’Sullivan's ban

An analysis of the supplement purchased and taken by Brendan O’Sullivan against an unopened tub of the same product helped to convince Sport Ireland (SI) that his was contaminated.

SI yesterday released the full decision to suspend the Kerry footballer for 21 weeks, a ban which has since been completed, after he had tested positive for the banned stimulant drug methylhexaneamine (MHA) in the immediate aftermath of last year’s Division 1 final against Dublin.

O’Sullivan was initially recommended a seven-month ban, but in January officially chose not to accept it on the grounds of “no significant fault or negligence”. He cited mitigating circumstances, such as it being a contaminated product, his inexperience as a rookie on the panel and a lack of anti-doping education provided by the Kerry County Board.