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Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly set to appeal his 12-week suspension

The Central Hearings Committee are likely to hear Connolly’s appeal in the coming days.

DIARMUID CONNOLLY IS set to appeal the 12-week suspension he received after Dublin’s recent Leinster quarter-final win over Carlow.

Cahair O’Kane of the Irish News reported this morning that Connolly has launched an appeal against the proposed ban that was handed down by Croke Park’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).

It was suggested last Friday that the St Vincent’s forward wouldn’t be appealing the 12-week suspension for ‘minor physical interference’ with linesman Ciaran Branagan.

The initial ban would rule Connolly out until a potential All-Ireland semi-final, but it appears Dublin have decided to act.

RTÉ’s Darren Frehill has since confirmed the news.

“I’m surprised,” ex-Westmeath star Dessie Dolan told Frehill on Morning Ireland earlier today.

“Diarmuid, over the weekend, was widely praised for accepting the ban. Joe Brolly looked at this and said that once it was reported in the initial comments section of the referee’s report, it slammed the door shut on getting off on appeal.

“That’s how it appeared to be. For anyone looking at the pictures, Diarmuid did put the hand on the shoulder of the linesman so it’s there and it’s obvious for everyone to see.

“Certainly in this instance, I don’t think three months is a fair punishment for what he did. I know it was contact with a match official, but it wasn’t an aggressive contact or anything like that. Diarmuid has plenty of experience of going down this road.

Dolan continued: “The evidence is there for everyone to see. Looking at it he did put the hand on the linesman. So therefore he is guilty of interference with a match official. I don’t know what you can appeal it on then.

“Is it going to be on procedures? I think that will leave a sour taste on everyone’s mouth. He’s got off before and I don’t think Dublin will do themselves any favour in this instance appealing.”

According to the Irish News, the Central Hearings Committee are likely to hear Connolly’s appeal in the coming days.

Dublin GAA have informed The42 that they’re not in a position to comment on the story.

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