Reaction to Dublin-Tyrone disciplinary decisions: The Tyrone and Dublin county boards are expected to appeal the €10,000 fines imposed by the Central Disciplinary Committee. Both camps refused to make an official statement until they receive written notification of the suspensions and fines, arising from the National League match on February 5th in Omagh.
Applications to the Central Appeals Committee must be made within three days of receiving such written notification. Considering three players from each county are suspended for the remainder of the football league, appeals appear a formality.
The initial reaction yesterday from Tyrone was one of dismay after they were found guilty, under Rule 140 of the official GAA rulebook, of discrediting the association.
"I cannot speak for the county board as yet but my personal opinion is that we probably would be appealing it," said county board secretary Dominick McCaughey.
"Our argument at the hearing yesterday (Saturday) was that the county board didn't behave any differently than it had behaved during the past 12 months when we played eight National League, 10 championship and four McKenna Cup matches.
"We thought we had done everything we had been asked to do. We had not been asked by the disciplinary committee to do anything in relation to the case. We don't see where we are in breach of Rule 140. We didn't have any case put to us on how we were in breach of Rule 140."
It is highly unlikely a CAC hearing will be convened ahead of next Sunday's McKenna Cup final between Tyrone and Monaghan. This means Michael McGee, Kevin Hughes and Owen Mulligan are almost certainly unavailable. Also, Colin Holmes is serving a four-week suspension after receiving a straight red card, also against Dublin.
"They haven't been talking to me about that aspect but whatever the players do I would expect the county board to support them," added McCaughey.
"We haven't received anything in writing yet. I know the press have been informed but we haven't been informed in writing. We won't do anything until then as there is no point in us sitting down to discuss a telephone call."
The Dublin camp also refused to make a formal response yesterday, again stating an appeal is ultimately the players' individual decision. Ciarán Whelan, Kevin Bonner and Alan Brogan are unavailable until the championship, unless Dublin make the league semi-finals on April 16th or appeals to the CAC, or subsequently the Disputes Resolution Authority, succeed.
"That is the end of one hearing," said Dublin selector Dave Billings when asked if the players would appeal. "That was a meeting of the CDC and I'm sure there are other channels should the players decide to go forward. I don't know how it's going to go - it's up to the individual players to assess the decision and decide.
Dublin County Board secretary John Costello said: "We have no comment on it at present but a statement will be released in due course, after this week's management meeting."
Bryan Cullen received a four-week suspension under Rule 138 (misconduct on the field) ruling him out until the Fermanagh game on March 18th as round four of the league against Cork, under lights in Páirc Uí Rinn, is on March 11th, a day before his suspension ends. Cullen is, however, available to captain DCU in the Sigerson Cup semi-final against UCC this Friday as a minimum suspension does not apply to other competitions.
Tyrone team doctor Séamus Cassidy received no suspension, despite an onfield verbal altercation with Brogan, but was severely warned about his future conduct.
Dublin's Peadar Andrews was also handed a severe warning with no suspension, but Tyrone defender Ryan McMenamin was, notably, cleared of all charges.
"I'm pleased for Ryan McMenamin being exonerated as he always claimed he was not in breach of any rules," said Tyrone chairman Pat Darcy.
