Peter Casey has been cleared to play in the All-Ireland hurling final against Cork. The Limerick corner forward was given a straight red card for a tangle with Waterford’s Conor Gleeson in last Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park.
Having consulted with his officials, referee John Keenan sent off Casey in the 60th minute of Limerick’s 11-point win. Initially, manager John Kiely appeared to accept that the player was unlikely to be available for the final.
“I haven’t seen the footage. I do know talking to Peter that there was a clash of heads but nothing malicious, nothing of any significance but at the same time, you have to be very, very careful, especially in that position.
“For us at the minute we’ll just take a day or two to reflect and see what the picture looks like and take it from there but at the moment I think you can take it he won’t be with us.”
It was decided earlier this week, however, to challenge the sending-off and the consequent automatic suspension. The Central Hearings Committee met on Thursday evening to decide on Casey’s challenge and overruled the referee’s decision.
One significant element in the Limerick defence was that an audio recording of the conversation between the referee and his officials indicated a difference of opinion between them with the CHC coming down in favour of the more lenient interpretation of the incident.
This will be a major boost for Limerick going into the final, as Casey has established himself as a first-choice player in the championship to date and his form has been good. He will now be available for selection.
