The Donegal County Board meet this evening to consider appealing the four-week suspension handed down to Paddy Campbell by the Central Disciplinary Committee.
The CDC came in for widespread criticism for the four-week delay in organising the Donegal full back's personal hearing after video evidence showed him striking Derry forward Enda Muldoon in the groin during the Ulster semi-final on June 18th. Muldoon received a four-week suspension for retaliating, which ruled him out of the qualifier games against Kildare and Longford - a match Derry lost to end their season.
The tardiness of the Campbell hearing allowed the player to line out in the Ulster final defeat to Armagh on July 9th.
As it stands, Campbell will miss Saturday week's fourth-round qualifier against Fermanagh in Enniskillen and the All-Ireland quarter-final, should Donegal progress, against Cork seven days later on August 5th.
His suspension ends on August 6th.
The CDC also handed Westmeath hurling manager Séamus Qualter an eight-week suspension for abuse of the Limerick referee Jason O'Mahony in Westmeath's championship qualifier against Laois on July 1st.
Considering Westmeath's season ended with last weekend's relegation final defeat to Dublin it is unclear what punishment Qualter will actually suffer. It took two weeks before a hearing was convened so Qualter was allowed walk the line against Dublin.
"I stand over my comments," said Qualter yesterday. "I felt hard done by after one of our players was body-checked and no free was awarded. Laois was our biggest game of the season, and we weren't good enough to win it, but some level of consistency is required from the referees."
In reaction to the suspension Qualter added: "It's ridiculous that Mick O'Dwyer was practically standing in the middle of the field during the Laois and Tyrone game but nothing is done to him. Then look at Anthony Lynch getting off.
"It's a joke really but like every other person from a minnow GAA county I will take my punishment. I didn't seek a personal hearing and I will not be appealing."
Also at Wednesday night's CDC meeting, Westmeath's Barry Kennedy received a 12-week suspension dating back to the qualifier against Galway on July 8th, Meath hurler Seán White 12 weeks and Fermanagh hurler Darren Graham eight weeks.
Matty Forde's 12-week ban for stamping on Offaly full back Shane Sullivan in the Leinster football semi-final comes before the Central Appeals Committee tonight.
Although Wexford's championship interest ended in defeat to Fermanagh last week, the Wexford County Board are endeavouring to protect the reputation of their star player.
