The four Tyrone footballers, sent off in the recent league match against Armagh have had their challenge to one-match suspensions rejected. After a late night at the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee, the red cards issued by referee David Gough for the infraction of ‘contributing to a melee’ were upheld.
Team captain Pádraig Hampsey was among the four players, along with Michael McKernan, Peter Harte and Kieran McGeary, sent off by referee David Gough after a melee late in the game last Sunday week that saw Armagh’s Greg McCabe also get the line.
The players will have the option of taking the matter to the Central Appeals Committee and beyond, to the Disputes Resolution Authority if they believe there is a technical flaw in their punishment.
Still without a win this season, it means the 2021 All-Ireland champions will be down four players ahead of this weekend’s Division One meeting with Kildare.
All-Ireland winning captain Hampsey, speaking before the appeal, acknowledged that the incident was “one we’re not proud of,” but said that he and his teammates would be attending the hearing in Croke Park.
“I suppose it’s a derby game with two Ulster teams,” said Hampsey, “two neighbouring counties so I just feel that things maybe got out of control. It’s one we’re not proud of ourselves as a county and as players but look, I don’t think there was much really in it.
“For my own self, there wasn’t much in it to be honest. But look, it happened and we’re not proud of what happened.
“I think the players will have to go down to that one so there’ll be a hearing. To be honest, I’ve never been involved in one so I’m not too sure what goes on but the players will be down tonight and we’ll see what we’re dealt with.”
To date, the All-Ireland champions haven’t won a match in the league and face Kildare on Sunday: “Yeah, Kildare on Sunday at home in Healy Park. It’s been a tough enough start to the league campaign, the draw with Monaghan and the defeat by Armagh. We’ll be looking forward to this weekend and to hopefully getting our first win on the board.”
