Galway ‘keeper Fahy a Leinster final doubt as he is hit with retrospective ban

Dublin’s Donohue also handed suspension by CCCC

RETROSPECTIVE BAN: Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy is at risk of missing Sunday week’s Leinster SHC final against Kilkenny after receiving a retrospective one-match ban. Pic: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Galway goalkeeper Darach Fahy is at risk of missing Sunday week’s Leinster SHC final against Kilkenny after receiving a retrospective one-match ban.

Dublin’s Conor Donohoe has also been issued with a recommended suspension arising from the counties’s Leinster SHC final round game in Parnell Park last Sunday. The Erin’s Isle man could miss the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against Joe McDonagh Cup winners, Kildare or Laois.

The punishments have been proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) for the first-half incidents not dealt with by referee Colm Lyons.

Fahy made contact with his hurley against Andrew Jamieson-Murphy’s leg after the Galway netminder passed the ball away. Donohoe caught John Fleming with his hurley around the neck as the Galway forward attempted to strike the ball towards the goal from close range.

Both counties were informed of the CCCC’s decisions in the last 24 hours and it is expected Galway will at least contest Fahy’s ban in front of the Central Hearings Committee as there is further annoyance in the county with the disciplinary process.

In the earlier round game against Offaly in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Galway were aggrieved that Daithí Burke was sent off while selector Aidan Harte was handed a four-week suspension for “abusive language towards an official”.

Galway had successfully contested the “any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player/Team Official” charge brought against Harte but he was also served with the other infraction. Harte’s penalty elapses before Sunday week’s provincial decider.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM earlier this month, Micheál Donoghue articulated Galway’s stance. “I think collectively from a management, players, county board we were really disappointed with that transpired in Tullamore.

“From our perspective, we viewed it as pretty shambolic, and something that we weren’t happy with. Look, for us moving forward we’ll be mindful in everything we do in similar circumstance.” 

There is also some consternation in hurling circles how no suspensions were issued from the row that followed the Ulster senior football final, although the Irish Examiner understands fines were issued to Armagh and Donegal.