Dublin have opted for a hearing to contest a proposed one-match suspension on Philly McMahon after an incident late in last month's All-Ireland final involving Kerry captain Kieran Donaghy.

McMahon's hands were seen around Donaghy's eyes on television coverage and although the Dublin corner back has insisted that he had no intention to gouge his opponent, the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee decided last week that he had a case to answer and has proposed a one-match ban.

Dublin have decided to contest this and informed Croke Park on Wednesday evening that the player would take his case to the Central Hearings Committee.

There is no specific infraction of ‘gouging’ in Gaelic games but the incident has been dealt with under a Category III infraction and Rule 5.17, “to behave in any way which is dangerous to an opponent.”

Infraction

The minimum suspension for being found to have committed this infraction is one match, which if he is found to have committed it, would be served in next season’s national league. The All-Ireland champions’ first match will coincidentally be against Kerry on January 30th.

Donaghy has gone on the record to say that he wishes to draw a line under the incident.

The controversy comes at the end of a season in which McMahon's effectiveness as a defender was seen in excellent displays against Mayo's Aidan O'Shea and Kerry's eight-time All Star Colm Cooper.

McMahon has been included in most team of the year selections, and was nominated for both an All-Star and the Footballer of the Year award.