Unnamed Cork and Clare hurlers suspended

KevIRL

Unnamed Cork and Clare hurlers suspended
Wednesday, 30 May 2007 10:22
A number of unnamed players from Cork and Clare have been handed suspensions as a result of the incidents in Sunday's Munster Hurling championship clash in Thurles.


The GAA issued a statement this morning confirming that the central competitions control committee also fined both County Boards in relation to these incidents.

The parties involved now have the right to seek a hearing through the Central Hearing's Committee if they do not accept the penalties imposed.

The GAA are not revealing any more specifics about the suspensions or fines at this point, as the disciplinary process is ongoing.

It was also confirmed that the committee have taken no further action in relation to the Leinster Hurling Championship first round game between Laois and Offaly.

This is because the referee dealt with the situation at the time by issuing yellow cards.

buck65

Cusack O Hailpin O Sullivan Kenny - Cork
Markham C Lynch F Lynch Lohan - Clare

1 month each

Unconfirmed reports say.

Orizio

Possibly Gardiner instead of Kenny, but I'm inclined to think you got that spot on.The other three were definitely involved in the fracas for Cork.

I assume that means Shane O'Neill and Hartnett will be getting starts then.

hawker

I think the Cork lads were O'Sullivan, Cusack, Gardiner and Sean Og.

Why were their names not publicised? I mean it happens time and time again that a player receives a suspension and appeals yet his name is publicised.

Frankie will work his magic. Wait and see!!!

Clareman

Clare players suspended were Andy Quinn, Alan Markham, Barry Nugent and Colin Lynch, they are all getting a month each, so they'll miss the Antrim going

Orizio

Lucky your playing the almighty Saffrons next.

Macca07

ya heard, Cusack, Gardiner, Sean Og & The Rock got the month suspensions. More than likely will be appealled and hopefully reduce it to 2 players. Can't see Cork beating Waterford missing 4 out of their 7 backs! Presume Hartnett & O'Neill will come in for Gardiner & Sean Og, more than likey it'll be Nash for Cusack but who will replace The Rock. I know he's not exactly outstanding but no one to replace him

Grudaire

But will they stick?

Macca don't you think that it would be a good deterrent if the bans actually stick- for once.

Orizio

O' Neill is a real talent though, and Hartnett can play.I would be seriously worried about O' Connor at full back tbh.

Nalced_irl

Jesus, that is quite a harsh punishment but as said before me, it all depends on if it sticks. I was very surprised that Clare were such underdogs for this game actually. I know they arent the same as they were a few yaers ago but Cork were 2/7 i think which is crazy odds imo!

cruiserweight

Looks like it will all be sorted out tonight

Irish Independent wrote:

CORK may discover tonight if they are to have their defence ripped apart for Sunday week's eagerly-awaited Munster SHC semi-final with Waterford in Thurles.

The GAA's Central Hearings Committee (CHC) is to consider the cases arising from the pre-match bust-up in the tunnel and on the pitch as the Cork and Clare teams emerged for their quarter-final.

Eight players - four from each side - had one-month bans proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) which, if upheld, would have serious repercussions for the reigning Munster champions who would be without goalkeeper, Donal Óg Cusack and defenders, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, John Gardiner and Sean Óg Ó hAilpín for the game with Waterford.

The Clare four facing the threat of suspension are Colin Lynch, Alan Markham, Barry Nugent and Andrew Quinn. It's understood that the Clare players will not be attending tonight's meeting and will instead seek a later hearing, although it remains to be seen if all four go through the process.

There's understood to be considerable anger in Clare over the Nugent charge, as it's claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity. Banner officials are also expected to vigorously defend Quinn.

Since Clare don't have their first All-Ireland qualifier tie until June 30, there's far more urgency in Cork's case. Tony Considine's charges are due to play Antrim in the first qualifier tie and even if they were without all - or any - of the 'Thurles Four,' it wouldn't be as serious for them as for the Leesiders whose defence would be decimated by the absence of four top stars for the massive test against Waterford.

As a result of the controversy, Cork have drifted out to 9/4 to retain the Munster crown with Waterford replacing them as 6/4 favourites. If the CHC, chaired by Armagh's John O'Reilly, formally suspends the players, they still have the right of appeal to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) and if that went against them, they could take their case to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) which is the final 'court' in the GAA disciplinary system.

The Thurles probe is seen as a major test of the GAA's new disciplinary system which came into effect in January. If the CCCC's proposed suspensions fall, it will be a major setback to the GAA hierarchy.

Both counties are sure to lodge a strong case against the fines imposed for the bust-up. However, the suspensions are far more serious, especially for Cork whose prospects of a third Munster title in-a-row could rest on tonight's decision.

Meanwhile, Conor Plunkett, Daithi O'Connell and Fergal Lynch all trained with the Clare panel on Tuesday, ending rumours that they had quit the panel.

gosplan

Hey, does anyone have a link for the video of the bust up.

Only caught the match from 10 mins in and missed the whole thing. Heard it was pretty large scale but they don't seems to be showing it on the news or sports shows when they're talking about it. They also didn't repeat it at half time or full time on the day.

Personally I think there's an effort being made by the GAA to not re-air it. But hell, everyone's still going on about it weeks later and I STILL haven't seen it.

Orizio

I've seen it a few times on the TV, and obviously at the game itself.Your not missing much, should be on youtube though.

If the suspensions stand it will certainly make the Waterford game more interesting.;)

cruiserweight

Well the suspensions have been handed out. Clare should be okay, but not good news for Cork

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0612/chc.html?gaa

rte.ie wrote:

The GAA's Central Hearings Committee met in Croke Park on Monday night and imposed suspensions on Clare players Barry Nugent, Alan Markham, Andrew Quinn and Colin Lynch, and Cork's Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Dónal Óg Cusack.

The four-week suspensions, which were incurred following a fracas in the Guinness Munster Hurling Championship quarter-final clash between the two sides, will include the next game in the competition (even if that game falls outside the suspension time period).

The committee opted against a ban for Cork's John Gardiner.

Cork county board were handed a €7,500 fine, while their Clare counterparts must stump up €5,000.

Clareman

You have to love the way 4 Clare players were deemed guilty and only 3 Cork players, but the Cork County Board were deemed to have instigated the whole thing (bigger fine).

Personally I think that the players should have been warned about their future conduct and the County boards fined, but sure what do I know

Orizio

Your playing Antrim, and I'm sure ye will survive.;)

In fairness Gardiner always struck me as harmless, not a dirty player.Not suprised his suspension was dropped.

Clareman

we are in a lot better position that Cork alright, of the 4 players, only Markham would have definetly being playing against Antrim (Nugent was proberly going to play, not definetly), all 3 Cork players were going to be playing.

My only arguement is that Cork were deemed to have been the instigators of the whole thing but have gotten less players suspended. Nothing was said about the Cork players going to the Clare part of the field to continue the "disturbance".

kevmy

In fairness the suspensions are probably fair. I like the stipulation that you have to miss one game in the Championship even if it falls outside the ban too many players have been getting away with that one for years. Could have been handed down quicker I suppose. It is the first real run out for the new disciplinary system.
Now we'll see if Frank is able to work the new system as well as he was with the old one.