Quinlan appeal dismissed

Alan Quinlan’s last-ditch attempt to make the Lions tour to South Africa has failed after his appeal against a 12-week suspension was dismissed.

The Ireland back-row was banned for making contact with the eye area of Leo Cullen during Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat by Leinster at Croke Park on May 2.

Quinlan exercised his right to appeal but an independent appeal committee today found no reason to alter the original verdict or punishment.

An ERC statement read: “The committee found that Alan Quinlan had not demonstrated the original decision had been in error or that it should be overturned or varied.

“Accordingly the appeal committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension imposed on the player of 12 weeks.”