Reduced 24-week ban for Tullamore member who pushed ref 

The proposed 96-week suspension was shortened due to extenuating reasons. 

The Leinster Council’s hearings committee has handed down the smaller penalty to the man following a meeting last night. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

The Tullamore member who pushed referee Barry Tiernan in the back following last month’s Leinster Club SFC first round game against Summerhill has had his proposed ban reduced from 96 to 24 weeks.

The Leinster Council’s hearings committee has handed down the smaller penalty to the man, a member of the panel who was not togged out for the game, following a meeting last night.

It is understood the punishment as recommended by the province’s competitions control committee was cut after a number of factors concerning the footballer’s health were presented at the hearing. Believing those reasons to be extenuating, the ban was confirmed as 24 weeks earlier today.

A Tullamore official who was charged with a 48-week suspension for his behaviour towards a linesman had his punishment cut to 12 weeks.

Summerhill won the game in Tullamore by two points. At a late stage, Tiernan awarded Tullamore a close-range free only to upgrade it to a penalty. However, he reversed his decision and rewarded a free following a linesman’s consultation.