GAA propose 12-week suspension for Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly
Wednesday 7 June 2017 14:43, UK
The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) have proposed a 12-week ban for Dublin forward Diarmuid Connolly after his incident with a linesman.
The 29-year-old's ban arises from an incident involving linesman Ciaran Brannigan in Saturday's Leinster SFC quarter-final against Carlow, where Connolly appeared to make contact with the official's shoulder after angrily confronting him.
GAA supporters and several high-profile Irish sports broadcasters such as Pat Spillane and Colm O'Rourke have come out and said a ban was warranted following the incident.
Dublin are expected to appeal the ban on the basis that no sanction was taken against Connolly at the time by the match officials, meaning the wording of the referee's report will be of critical significance.
Connolly appeared to place a hand on Brannigan during the heated exchange in the second half of the fixture, which is deemed under GAA rules to be "minor interference" with an official and subject to a minimum band of 12 weeks.
Such a ban would see Connolly ruled out until a potential All-Ireland semi-final clash.
Connolly, a four-time All-Ireland champion and 10-time Leinster Senior Football Championship winner, won the GAA All Star award last year as Dublin retained their crown.
