Dublin, Tyrone players succeed with appeals

The Dublin and Tyrone players suspended for their involvement in the violent scenes that marred their counties' league clash last month have succeeded in having their bans overturned.

In a statement released this afternoon, the GAA confirmed that: "the appeals on behalf of Dublin and Tyrone players heard by the Central Appeals Committee last night have been upheld. The suspensions initially imposed will no longer apply."

The Dublin quartet of Ciaran Whelan, Alan Brogan, Kevin Bonner and Bryan Cullen, as well as Tyrone's Kevin Hughes, Owen Mulligan and Michael McGee initially had suspensions imposed after tempers flared during the fiery NFL Division 1A encounter, which saw Tipperary referee Paddy Russell issue 14 yellow cards and two reds, on February 5.

A GAA investigation was prompted and the Association's Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) handed out bans to the aforementioned players, as well as €10,000 fines to both the Dublin and Tyrone County Boards, after a meeting on February 18.

The players' suspensions were appealed and last night the nine-man CDC panel, chaired by Tipperary's Con Hogan, reviewed the match video.

This afternoon, the GAA revealed the CDC's findings in their statement.

The decision means all seven players - six of whom were hit with eight week bans, while Dublin defender Cullen was on a four week suspension - are now free to play for their county sides again.

Dublin face Cork in a floodlit league clash on Saturday night, while Tyrone, searching for their first league points, visit Offaly on Sunday afternoon.