David Clifford and Jim McGuinness to avoid bans after Kerry-Donegal fracas

Micheál Burns has been cited for Category 4 infraction for striking Ryan McHugh. The Kerry forward could face a two-match ban

Kerry footballer David Clifford and Donegal manager Jim McGuinness will not face punishments following Saturday's fiery All-Ireland SFC clash between their sides. Pics: Sportsfile

Fines are the extent of the retrospective penalties for Kerry and Donegal arising from Saturday’s ill-tempered All-Ireland SFC Round 1 game in Killarney.

David Clifford and Jim McGuinness will face no recommended punishments as their incidents were considered to have been dealt with by referee Seán Hurson at the time.

However, the Irish Examiner understands Micheál Burns was cited for a Category 4 infraction and could face a two-match ban for making contact with Ryan McHugh during the on-field fracas at half-time.

Towards the end of the first half, Clifford reacted to a hit on the head by Caolan McGonagle by raising an elbow and shoving into the Donegal player who fell to the ground.

McGuinness also responded in pushing Kerry’s Diarmuid O’Connor having seen the bloodied face of McHugh. The Donegal manager afterwards took exception to the possibility that he could be punished.

In light of Dublin manager Ger Brennan’s 12-week ban for putting his hands on Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach-McGinn, the inconsistency in punishment will raise questions. However, Brennan was sent off for his infraction while McGuinness was not.

In the case of Brennan, who was dismissed by referee Fergal Kelly in the Dublin-Galway Division 1 final round game in Pearse Stadium in March, the Central Competitions Control Committee had no choice but to pursue the penalty.

Brennan brought his case as far as the Disputes Resolution Authority but it was upheld. The St Vincent’s man has missed all three of Dublin’s Leinster SFC fixtures and will also be missing from the sideline for this Sunday’s All-Ireland opener against Louth in Croke Park.

As well as that, he is banned from Dublin’s first two Division 2 games in 2027 and could yet miss their second round All-Ireland game next month if the game is scheduled for a Saturday. His three-month suspension elapses the day before.

It is believed references to the actions of certain individuals involved in the game were mentioned in Hurson’s report but none that would lead to proposed bans.

Twelve months ago, Dublin and Galway hurlers Conor Donoghue and Cianán Fahy were handed down retrospective bans following their counties’ final round Leinster SHC game, although the incident was not mentioned in referee Colm Lyons’ report.

Fines of €7,500 are set to be handed down to both Kerry and Donegal. Burns is in line to be banned for Kerry’s Round 2 game on June 13 or 14 and possibly, depending on that result, their Round 3 fixture or first game in next year’s Division 1.