The suspensions imposed on four intercounty footballers who had played for Dublin City University in the Higher Education league semi-final last November have been lifted, it was confirmed this afternoon.
Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan, Laois’s Ross Munnelly, Dublin’s Shane Ryan and Diarmuid Kinsella of Wexford were all hit with 12-week bans after being deemed ineligible to play for DCU as their courses were part-time.
All four would have missed the opening rounds of their counties' National Football League campaign, as well as the Sigerson Cup, had the suspensions stood.
However, in a statement released today the GAA confirmed the Central Appeals Committee had thrown out the punishments on a technicality.
"The Central Appeals Committee of the GAA last night heard appeals from [the four players] for allegedly playing with their respective Colleges in contravention of Higher Education Council Rules.
"The CAC upheld the appeals from the four players on a technicality related to Education Councils byelaws."