Updated at 10.30am
BRIAN GAVIN HAS won the right to referee Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford.
The Offaly whistler was handed a proposed one-month ban as a result of comments he made to a match official after a recent Offaly club game.
Had the ban been upheld, it would have denied Gavin the right to take charge of the glamour clash between champions Kilkenny and the Déise.
However, the disciplinary case against the Clara man was brought forward to last night and reports this morning indicate that appeal was successful.
Gavin, who is chairman of his home club Clara, was reported by a fellow referee for alleged abuse.
Gavin appealed the suspension and with the hearing originally due to be held next week, he was clear to take charge of Sunday’s tie.
But following a request to the Offaly county board by the GAA, the hearing was rescheduled to last night, leaving Gavin in a position where he was at risk of missing the game.
Originally published at 9.45am
