Dooher backs McMenamin in ban controversy

Tyrone's 2008 All-Ireland-winning captain Brian Dooher feels that Ryan McMenamin is a victim of 'trial by media' as the defender appeals the severity of a suspension handed down following an incident involving McMenamin and Paul Galvin.

The now well-publicised incident occurred during last month's Allianz NFL Division 1 meeting of Tyrone and Kerry at Healy Park in Omagh.

"I'm sure the media have given him a perceived reputation anyway," said Dooher. "I think all in Tyrone know who Ryan McMenamin is, the footballer he is and the benefit he is to our team.

"You wouldn't meet many better fellas and I'm just hoping he gets the suspension reduced to the four weeks.

"That's what I think he deserves - well I wouldn't say he deserves but I think that is appropriate for the offence. That's the way it should be.

"Everybody is making a big deal out of it and obviously the media - it's their first thing of the year and they are jumping on this.

"Obviously they haven't much else to write about at the minute to give him all the attention.

"He's been in the papers this past three or four weeks which is uncalled for, for an amateur player and the amount of attention he is receiving."

Dooher believes that the length of McMenamin's ban, which was increased to eight weeks when he made an appeal to the Central Hearings Committee last week, has come as a major shock to all concerned.

"It was definitely a shock to everyone. I think Ryan and the whole of Tyrone expected than whenever he went down (for the hearing) he would get a four-week ban - the same as was given to other people for the same offence last year or the year before," he said.

"I thought four weeks was an appropriate ban for Ryan and he was willing to accept the four weeks but for some reason the GAA decided to double it. Whatever the reason may be, we'll probably find out.

"Tyrone are going to appeal it now anyway and hopefully for Ryan's sake I hope he is going to be successful.

"To be fair he's playing good football at the minute and he would be a big loss to the Tyrone team so he will."

Dooher will lead the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin this year as one of four Grand Marshals along with Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin and Cork's 2008 All-Ireland winning captains Angela Walsh (Ladies football) and Caitriona Foley (Camogie), in honour of the GAA's 125 anniversary celebrations, which are spearheaded by Armagh native Jarleth Burns.

Busy veterinarian Dooher is delighted to be handed such an honour.

"It's definitely a huge honour for Tyrone and the GAA to be associated with the St. Patrick's Day Parade in such a way as to be 'Grand Marshals'.

"It's great for the 125th anniversary and the GAA to be honoured in such a way," Dooher said.

On the injury front, Dooher has been sidelined in recent months due to a groin operation and says the recovery process has been a slow one.

"It's very slow, all I'm fit for at the minute is the St Patrick's Day Parade," he joked.

"I have a month or two yet. That's about the height of it. It's hard to know yet and there's no point in putting a date on it. Whenever it happens, it happens. We'll see what happens.

"It's not really slower than expected because nobody really knew what to expect. It's just day by day, week by week and whenever I get strong enough to get fully back I'll be back."