MARC Ó SÉ is the latest high profile footballer to enter the convoluted GAA disciplinary process, but the Kerry defender is not expected to serve a suspension despite receiving a straight red card from referee Derek Fahy in last Sunday's Munster final.
The current footballer of the year was sent off after a collision with Cork wing forward Seán O'Brien in the 51st minute leading to the automatic minimum four weeks and one-match ban that would rule him out of the third-round qualifier to be played over the August Bank Holiday weekend. However, there will be no resistance from the Central Competitions Control Committee when Ó Sé takes his case to the Central Hearings Committee.
The dismissal of the two-time All Star was widely considered harsh as he appeared to legitimately use the shoulder to defend himself on impact. That O'Brien bounced off the defender and hit the ground may have influenced the referee's decision.
Fahy may also have been under pressure to take a tough disciplinary stance in the wake of the recent case of Dublin's Colin Moran, who had a yellow card upgraded to red and a subsequent four-week suspension following a collision with Westmeath's Dermot Bannon. Moran is due a hearing with the Central Appeals Committee ahead of Dublin's Leinster football final against Wexford on July 20th.
No official statement is expected from the CCCC as protocol prohibits them from announcing decisions to the public. In the Moran case, they approached Armagh referee Padraig Hughes and asked him to view replays of the incident. On reflection Hughes upgraded his sanction from yellow to red card.
Kerry County Board chairman Jerome Conway stated: "We received correspondence recently from the CCCC informing us that no more public announcements will be made on recommended suspensions until after the Central Hearings Committee has met."
It is believed, however, that common sense may prevail with regards to Ó Sé.
It has also been revealed that Paul Galvin submitted a request for a hearing with the Disputes Resolution Authority last Friday. The Kerry captain is hoping for a reduction of the 24-week ban handed down for slapping referee Paddy Russell's notebook from his hand and abusing linesman Michael Meade in the Clare match on June 15th.
As it stands, Galvin is suspended for the entire season but a reduction to 12 weeks would make him available for the All-Ireland final on September 21st, should Kerry progress that far. The respondents in the case are the CCCC and CHC. A hearing is expected to take place in the next fortnight.
Meanwhile, Sligo are searching for a new manager ahead of their opening Tommy Murphy clash against either Kilkenny or London after Tommy Jordan tendered his resignation to the county executive on Monday night, citing "family reasons" for his departure. Current selectors John Kent and Tony Carty are expected to take over on an interim basis.
