REIGNING ALL-IRELAND champions Dublin are currently preparing for their National Football League Division 1 showdown against Kerry without the services of Michael Fitzsimons.
Croke Park plays host to a repeat of last year’s league decider on Sunday (4pm, live on eir), but it looks like the 2017 All-Star defender won’t play any part as his one-match ban has been upheld.
Fitzsimons was sent off towards the end of the Sky Blues’ four-point victory over Mayo in Castlebar for a mistimed challenge on Aidan O’Shea. He was subsequently hit with a one-match suspension — an automatic sanction for a red card.
Referee Paddy Neilan deemed the challenge to be ‘dangerous’ in his report, but Dublin opted to appeal the Cuala man’s sanction.
The hearing was scheduled for last week but never happened due to adverse weather conditions, but instead took place last night.
The Central Hearings Committee (CHC) found the infraction proven and upheld the one-match ban. Dublin could still bring their case to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) though.
As a replacement for Fitzsimons, Cian O’Sullivan could be in line for his first start of the year while Philly McMahon could come in either.
Statements from the Central Hearings Committee following a Meeting on 08.03.18: pic.twitter.com/wGtltKPIpo
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 8, 2018
