Gaelic Games

Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly to miss semi-final replay

All Star’s absence against Mayo a major setback for Jim Gavin’s charges

Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly will miss next Saturday’s replay after being banned for one match.
Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly will miss next Saturday’s replay after being banned for one match.
Thu Sept 03 2015 - 01:03

Diarmuid Connolly has been suspended for Dublin's All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo on Saturday.

The All Star forward took his case against the red card issued by referee Joe McQuillan in last Sunday's drawn encounter but the GAA's Central Hearings Committee found against him and imposed a one-match suspension.

The outcome of the hearing, which the player applied for rather than accept the same suspension when proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee, wasn't unexpected but it comes as a blow to Dublin's chances. Connolly has been the county's outstanding forward this season and given the manner in which the team lost a seven-point lead in the final 10 minutes last weekend, the loss of one of team's leading personalities is a setback for manager Jim Gavin.

Diarmuid Connolly: was sent off late in the drawn semi-final following an off-the -ball incident involving Mayo’s Lee Keegan. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Diarmuid Connolly: was sent off late in the drawn semi-final following an off-the -ball incident involving Mayo’s Lee Keegan. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Now that the ban has been imposed, the player has a right to appeal the decision to the Central Appeals Committee and from there to the Disputes Resolution Committee but as of now Connolly who is a current All-Star and nominee for 2014 Footballer of the Year, will be out of next Saturday's replay.

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The sending-off occurred in the 74th minute after an off-the-ball incident between Connolly and Mayo's Lee Keegan, who is seen bringing down the Dublin forward, which causes a brawl on the ground during which the latter is seen to strike his opponent with the fist.

Connolly was granted deliverance from a previous red card in an All-Ireland semi-final, four years ago when cleared by the CHC after being sent off in that year's semi-final for striking Donegal replacement Marty Boyle.

In that case, Laois referee Maurice Deegan took the advice of his linesman Rory Hickey before issuing the red card but there had been clear provocation from Boyle, who pushed the Dublin player after Connolly had been fouled and then obviously exaggerated the impact after the Dublin player twice pushed him with an open hand.

The verdict brings to an end a run of fortuitous All-Ireland decisions in favour of Mayo and Dublin, which have enabled players to avoid suspension in high-profile matches.

In addition to Connolly's 2011 escape, last month Mayo defender Kevin Keane had a red card struck down by the CHC despite striking Michael Murphy – a decision that attracted widespread criticism.