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Connolly receives his marching orders. James Crombie/INPHO
appeal

Here's the DRA statement explaining the decision to allow Diarmuid Connolly play today

The Disputes Resolution Authority released a brief statement today.

THE DISPUTES RESOLUTION Authority has issued a brief statement explaining their decision to uphold Diarmuid Connolly’s appeal against his red card for striking Mayo’s Lee Keegan in last week’s All-Ireland senior football championship semi-final.

The Dublin forward received a straight red card from referee Joe McQuillan last Sunday and had been widely expected to miss today’s replay having exhausted the GAA’s internal appeals process.

However, in the early hours of this morning, a DRA panel chaired by former Supreme Court judge Hugh O’Flaherty (with solicitors David Nohilly and Brian Rennick) upheld his appeal against the one-match ban.

Their decision, they say, was taken because of the “lack of fair procedure” afforded Connolly, with no mention of the striking incident itself.

It reads:

“The Panel’s decision related to lack of fair procedure afforded to Mr. Connolly at an early stage in the GAA’s internal disciplinary process which unfairly hindered the preparations for, and presentation of, his defence. Mr Connolly was thus free to play in the replay of the above match on 5 September.

“This statement is for informational purposes only. A full, written award reflective of the hearing as a whole, will be issued by the above DRA Panel within two weeks and will be published on sportsdra.ie.”

Diarmuid Connolly wins appeal and is free to play against Mayo this evening

‘Extraordinary’, ‘decent thing’, ‘a joke’ – GAA stars react to Diarmuid Connolly clearance

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