Dublin GAA to contest Ger Brennan's proposed 12-week ban

A Central Hearings Committee meeting is set to take place where the unofficial role of the Galway mentor involved in the fracas with Brennan is expected to be raised.

APPEAL: Referee Fergal Kelly shows the red card to Dublin manager Ger Brennan and to Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

Dublin GAA fully intends to contest the proposed 12-week suspension handed down to their senior football manager Ger Brennan.

A Central Hearings Committee meeting is set to take place where the unofficial role of the Galway mentor involved in the half-time fracas with Brennan in Pearse Stadium is expected to be raised.

Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn was recommended an eight-week suspension for disruptive behaviour. It is not expected the Galway County Board will contest the penalty.

After removing Breathnach McGinn’s earpiece and pulling the back of his shirt, Brennan was sent off by referee Fergal Kelly along with the Galway man.

Late last week, Brennan was recommended a 12-week ban for a Category IVa offence, “any type of physical interference with an opposing player or team official”.

However, it is believed Breathnach McGinn was not listed as a team official on the matchday team and management sheet counties are obliged to fill before throw-in.

Although it was clarified Breathnach McGinn operated in a liaison capacity, there is a question as to whether Brennan physically interfered with an actual team official.

The GAA match regulations state aside from players “a maximum of 14 additional backroom personnel will also be granted access, as well as two maor uisce per team. Only those named above are permitted access to the controlled zone.

“The ultimate composition of this number is at each county’s discretion, but must contain the County Chairperson and Secretary (or their nominees).

“All officials with access to the controlled zone should be registered with the Committee in charge in advance of the game and recorded on the team sheet supplied to the referee.”

New video footage seen by the Irish Examiner shows Brennan attempting to calm tensions between players before taking exception to Breathnach McGinn accosting and pushing Dublin player Brian Howard.

While there is an acceptance in Dublin that Brennan should be punished, they take exception to the severity of the punishment, which threatens to rule him out of all Dublin activities throughout their Leinster SFC campaign and up until the weekend of their second round game in the Sam Maguire Cup in June, a maximum of four games.

Brennan would be prevented from any matchday activity as well as preparations before games.

Three years ago, a new rule was introduced whereby a misconduct by a team official charge prohibits them from “managing, directing, assisting, or communicating with the team in any way during the period of the time-based suspension.”