Appeals panel reduces Hayes ban by seven days

A MEETING of an IRFU disciplinary panel in Dublin last night sat for about three hours before reducing the six-week ban imposed last week on Munster prop John Hayes by seven days.

The fact it took the panel so long to come to their decision strongly suggests they agreed with the disciplinary panel and Munster’s contention that Hayes was not guilty of any intentional act. However, the appeals panel stated that the “mitigation was based upon the record of the player” which was without blemish prior to the incident.

In the final analysis, the change won’t mean a whole lot given that for the second successive week, the 94-times capped Hayes will miss a Heineken Cup match although the ban now ends eight days before the first of Ireland’s three autumn Test matches against Australia.

Last night’s statement read: “John Hayes received a red card under law 10.4 (b) during the Leinster v Munster Magners League game on Saturday, October 3, 2009 for a stamp on Leinster player Cian Healy. Following a disciplinary hearing, Hayes was suspended for a period of six weeks from the date of the offence.

“The appeal panel was chaired by Billy Glynn, chairman of the IRFU Appeals Committee, assisted by Leo Galvin and George Spotswood.

“The IRFU appeals panel considered the grounds for appeal by Munster and allowed one further week’s mitigation based upon the record of the player. The reduction on the initial period of suspension means that Hayes is now suspended from the date of the offence for five weeks up to and including Saturday, November 7.”

Meanwhile, Leinster wing-forward Shane Jennings will appear before an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken Cup Round 1 match against London Irish at the RDS on Friday last.

The citing is for alleged contact with the eye/eye area of London Irish player Nick Kennedy (No 4).