O’Brien starts after being cleared by CHC

Dublin footballer Kevin O’Brien has been cleared to play in tomorrow’s Allianz Football League final in Croke Park. The player, who faced a charge in respect of an alleged biting incident during the league match with Donegal earlier this month, was before the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee on Thursday night when the charge against him was dismissed and is named by manager Jim Gavin in the team to face Tyrone.

The controversy, which arose after Donegal complaints that forward Paddy McBrearty had been bitten, was brought to a close yesterday with the following announcement from Croke Park:

“Following a meeting of An Lár Choiste Éisteachta on 25ú Aibreán 2013, it was decided that on the basis of the evidence provided and the submissions made on behalf of both parties, the Infraction against Caoimhín Ó Briain (Áth Cliath) as alleged was not proven and that the disciplinary action against the defending party be at an end.”

The charge had been brought by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee after an investigation into events in Ballybofey. Neither match referee – original match official Pádraig Hughes was injured and replaced by Michael Duffy – had noticed the alleged incident, which was brought to their attention by Donegal officials, who also took pictures of marks on McBrearty, which were said to be consistent with being bitten.

The player was afterwards brought to hospital in Letterkenny where he received a tetanus injection.

O'Brien has always denied the charge but after considering the evidence the CCCC decided that there was a case to answer and offered the player the option of a three-match suspension, which he refused, requesting instead a hearing.

Infraction not proven
McBrearty didn't attend the hearing on Thursday night but the CCCC none the less proceeded with their case in his absence. Having heard submissions from both sides, the CHC decided that the infraction hadn't been proven.

Neither county was willing to comment on the decision yesterday.

Dublin’s team, named late last night, features the return of James McCarthy, an All-Ireland winner two years ago but who hasn’t played in the league to date because of his club Ballymun’s run to the club final last month and since then because of an injury. He is named in his customary county position of wing back.

McCarthy comes in as a replacement for his clubmate Philip McMahon, who started the last day. Another Ballymun player Jason Whelan, who scored a goal in that semi-final win over Mayo, makes way for All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen.