Farrell fails in red card appeal

The GAA's disciplinary system is likely to face stinging criticism in the coming days after Meath forward Brian Farrell was hit with a four-week suspension.

Farrell, who attended the hearing tonight at Croke Park, was sent-off in the second half of Meath's Leinster SFC quarter-final defeat to Kildare on Sunday, June 5.

He tangled with Emmet Bolton as the Kildare wing back carried the ball out of defence. Both players swung out at each other, making little or no contact and referee Syl Doyle's decision to give Farrell a straight red card was a shock to many observers.

Doyle consulted with one of his linesman before giving the Nobber clubman his marching orders. Replays highlighted that the offence should have warranted a yellow card at most and with that being the widespread view, the sanction was expected to be reduced tonight.

However, the player's appeal, which included video evidence of the incident, was unsuccessful and means that he will miss the Royals' All-Ireland qualifier clash with Louth on Saturday week.

Farrell took to his twitter page to vent his annoyance, writing: 'Attended appeal on red card. It's not been overturned, 'as it is probable the offence occured'...absolutely ragin'! Witch-hunt?'