THE Dublin under 21 team gets its final chance of a reprieve at 6.0 p.m. this evening when the Central Council of the GAA meets prior to the opening of Congress.
The council will hear submissions from Dublin County Board officers and players in an attempt to have the recent penalties handed down by Leinster Council, resulting from the fracas with Offaly on March 15th, rescinded or reduced.
In addition to individual suspensions, ranging from two years to three months, the team was expelled from the remainder of this year's under 21 championship and, along with Offaly, from next year's also. Offaly have not appealed against this decision but two substitutes, suspended for two months, will also be appealing this evening.
While county board officers will appeal against the team's expulsion, each player will have to individually make his case against the suspension he has received. This also applies to the Dublin under 21 team manager, Dave Billings, who was banned for a year.
Members of the Leinster Council will be present to explain why they delivered the penalties in question and why they believe such penalties should remain. Those on the receiving end of longer bans may plead for leniency while others may seek to prove that Leinster Council breached some rule along the way. Rule 151(d) of the GAA's Official Guide states that `An appeal shall not be upheld unless there is a clear infringement or misapplication of the rule'. The onus is on the players to prove that such an infringement, or misapplication, took place.
"They have to prove that the Leinster Council erred and that's the kernel of it," said one informed source.
The appeals process could be a protracted affair but Central Council will almost certainly have to reach a conclusion this evening - Meath are scheduled to play Westmeath in the Leinster final on Sunday.
Leinster Council will hold a meeting immediately after Central Council give their decision and if Dublin are re admitted to the championship, contingency plans will then be drawn up to organise a Dublin Meath semifinal. The under 21 championship is being compressed into a tight timetable this year with the All Ireland semi finals scheduled for Sunday fortnight.
. Galwayman Joe McDonagh will take over from Jack Boothman as president of the GAA at Congress tomorrow. Two new trustees of the association will also be elected. There are 14 nominees for these honorary, posts, including Michael Hurley of Hertfordshire. A native of Tralee, Hurley is a well known figure among GAA circles in England where he has enthusiastically promoted gaelic games. Other nominees are Brendan Vaughan of Clare, Andy Gallagher of Offaly and Tipperary's John Doyle.
