*Ian Galvin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
IAN GALVIN’s rescheduled appeal to try have his red card rescinded to feature in Sunday’s eagerly awaited Munster SHC clash between Clare and Limerick will take place on Thursday evening, the original hearing was ruled null and void following outside interference.
Clonlara’s Galvin was shown a red card by Paud O’Dwyer with fifty minutes on the clock in Clare’s two point win over Cork, their second victory in this year’s provincial campaign. The dismissal in reality and in reflection appeared to be harsh with sources within the Banner camp confident from an early stage that an appeal on the decision would be successful.
At a hearing on Monday, the UL graduate was by former Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen (FF) who is secretary of Club Clare and a member of the Corofin club. Prior to them addressing the Central Hearings Committee (CHC), the pair were involved in a meeting with Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan, county Chairman Kieran Keating, secretary Pat Fitzgerald and solicitor Darragh Hassett. Only one person can accompany the appellant for the hearing and it was decided that Killeen who served as a Clare TD from 1992 to 2011 would fulfil the role.
Evidence provided at Monday’s hearing was strong enough to exonerate Galvin however the CHC claimed that a member of its committee was canvassed on behalf of either Ian or Clare GAA prior to their appeal being heard. The Central Competitions Control Committee had presented O’Dwyer’s reasoning for issuing a red card to Galvin.
However the hearing was ruled null and void after the CHC have contacted Management Committee about communications allegedly made by an individual to CHC officials concerning the forward’s case.
The Irish Examiner have reported that the person in question is neither a member of the Clare executive nor part of the senior hurling management team.
Members of the CHC include Central Hearings Committee include Chairperson Brian Rennick, Dunderry GAA Club (Meath), Aoife Farrelly, Trim GAA Club (Meath), Micheál Óg McMahon, An Bhoth (Monaghan), Denis Holmes, Oola GAA Club (Limerick), Tod O’ Mahony, Kiltimagh GAA (Mayo), Gerry Hagan, Killoe Young Emmets (Longford), Seán Dunnion, Four Masters (Donegal), Gerry Larkin, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry (Galway), Michael Wadding, Roanmore GAA (Waterford).
Disciplinary action is likely for the individual who made the approach and this is likely to occur in the guise of a suspension lasting a period of months, an eight week ban is the lightest sentence that can be handed down for breaching Rule 7.3 (w) of the GAA Official Guide.
Not alone does the delay leave question marks hanging over Galvin’s availability for Sunday’s tie but it also poses a headache for Lohan who has to submit his matchday panel of 26 to Croke Park by Thursday morning and the Clare boss therefore will not know at that juncture if his starting corner forward can be included.
Cork’s Colm Lyons has been appointed as the match referee for Sunday’s match which commences at 4pm in Cusack Park.
