Loughrea’s Cullen Killeen cleared to play in All-Ireland club final

DRA free up midfielder for Ballygunner clash.

Loughrea’s Cullen Killeen is consoled by Caimin Killeen after the semi-final. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Cullen Killeen has been cleared to line out for Loughrea in Sunday’s All-Ireland senior club hurling final against Ballygunner.

The Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) found in favour of the player who was shown a straight red card in additional time of last month’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Slaughtneil in Parnell Park.

Referee Johnny Murphy dismissed the would-be man of the match Killeen for the incident involving Brendan Rogers.

Killeen and Loughrea had unsuccessfully contested his one-match ban for striking with minimal force to the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and Central Appeals Committee (CAC).

However, in a Friday night convening of the DRA, the panel freed up the 19-year-old midfielder for the Croke Park decider.

In a three-hour meeting, the panel of Dermot Flanagan, Gareth Robinson and Con Hogan adjudged that the CAC had erred in claiming the CHC had reviewed video evidence provided by Loughrea to counter the referee’s decision and did not find it compelling. 

“It is clear from the CHC's minutes and its decision that that was not the test that was applied,” argued the DRA “The Tribunal determined that there was a misapplication of Rule 7.3 (aa) (1) (vi) T.O. 2025.” 

The judgement continued: “The Tribunal determined that the CAC erred in not identifying a misapplication of Rule 7.3 (aa) (1) (vi) T.O. 2025.

"Pursuant to Rule 7.6 (q) the Tribunal quashed the decision of the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) dated 15 January 2026. The Tribunal thereafter quashed the decision of the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) dated 9 January 2026. The Tribunal directs no further action on the part of the decision maker pursuant to precedent.”