DUBLIN MANAGER GER Brennan has issued a lengthy statement calling for clarity around remarks made by GAA President Jarlath Burns this week.
Brennan is currently serving the final weeks of a 12-week ban imposed following a half-time altercation with a member of the Galway backroom team during the sides’ Division 1 league clash in March.
Brennan is set to be available to resume sideline duties for Dublin’s Round 2B clash against Cavan, which has been fixed for Sunday 14 June – the day after his suspension ends.
His case has remained a topic of continued debate in recent weeks, and was again brought to the fore when Donegal manager Jim McGuinness escaped any sanction for shoving Kerry’s Diarmuid O’Connor at half time in the sides’ All-Ireland series meeting last month.
Speaking on Tuesday, Burns said that the circumstances between Brennan’s and McGuinness’s case were “different” as the latter was deemed to have been dealt with at the time by the match referee, and that the referee’s report is “sacrosanct”.
Brennan’s case “has only been cast into the spotlight because of another issue that some people maybe are comparing irrationally, if you want to call it that, because you’re not comparing the same thing,” Burns added.
In his first public comments since suspension – sent via his solicitor Conor Salley – Brennan has sought “to correct certain matters now brought into the public domain by the association”.
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The statement reads: “My client never had a wish to publicise his case and significantly has not made any public comment since the match in Galway but now feels compelled to do so.
“Firstly, my client welcomes the massive GAA public support for him personally and for his position in the mainstream and social media, both in the aftermath of the conclusion of the process nearly 7 weeks ago, and again in recent weeks.
“He thanked the CHC, CAC and DRA members at the conclusion of each hearing and wishes to thank them again publicly, for the expedient and professional manner in which his case was dealt, despite his obvious personal disappointment at the outcome.”
GAA President Jarlath Burns at the launch of the All-Ireland series. Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO
Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO
The statement notes that Brennan was “extremely surprised” at Burns’ public comments on Tuesday, adding that the president’s characterisation of comparisons between the Brennan and McGuinness incidents as irrational is “insulting to those holding that widely held view”.
“Moreover, [Brennan] is further concerned that the Uachtarán stated that ‘it’s more embarrassing for the CCCC to lose a case’ brought by it at hearing, appeal, or DRA.
Natural justice of course dictates that justice ought to be done and no CCC should ever be ‘embarrassed’ at an infraction brought not being proven.
“Indeed, the GAA’s own disciplinary handbook at page 16 states ‘…the process is about getting the right answer, not ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.’
Ger Brennan prior to beoing sent off by referee Fergal Kelly. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Wednesday’s statement notes that Brennan will be “further suspended for 30% of the NFL in 2027″.
Others can and will no doubt judge if this is fair, proportionate or balanced in the context of how the CCCC process all alleged infractions.
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“My client is most concerned, that in his view, a consistent and equitable approach is unfortunately not being applied to every team, player and manager by the CCCC, in dealing with disciplinary matters arising.”
“Mr Brennan is heartened however by verbal confirmation from the Uachtarán to Dublin GAA last week, that Ard Comhairle intends considering the fairness of the penalty for the infraction listed at Rial 7.2(c) Category IVa TO 2026, with a view to considering bringing a motion to Congress 2027, to amend or alter the penalty.
“My client is a committed GAA volunteer and has never sought any media attention since his infraction over 10 weeks ago. As a result of his suspension however, his family have suffered, his son’s underage team have been a coach short, the Dublin Senior Football team have been severely prejudiced, and he himself has been personally affected.
He feels disenfranchised, undervalued and a lack of belonging to the association given the events of the past three months.
“These views were indeed conveyed privately by email to Uachtarán, Ard-stiúrthóir and the CCCC, in advance of yesterday’s public comments. Indeed, Ard-stiúrthóir Tom Ryan had subsequently provided a positive private written response to Mr Brennan.
“My client also wishes to commend and thank his family, close friends and the members of the County Committee and management committee of Dublin GAA for their unwavering support of him.
“It is important however that the above facts of the matter are known publicly given the comments made by the association and the subsequent inaccuracies reported in the media yesterday and today, concerning my client and his case.
“My client would also welcome the GAA publicly putting the record straight.”
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'Disenfranchised, undervalued and a lack of belonging': Ger Brennan breaks silence on 12-week ban
DUBLIN MANAGER GER Brennan has issued a lengthy statement calling for clarity around remarks made by GAA President Jarlath Burns this week.
Brennan is currently serving the final weeks of a 12-week ban imposed following a half-time altercation with a member of the Galway backroom team during the sides’ Division 1 league clash in March.
Brennan is set to be available to resume sideline duties for Dublin’s Round 2B clash against Cavan, which has been fixed for Sunday 14 June – the day after his suspension ends.
His case has remained a topic of continued debate in recent weeks, and was again brought to the fore when Donegal manager Jim McGuinness escaped any sanction for shoving Kerry’s Diarmuid O’Connor at half time in the sides’ All-Ireland series meeting last month.
Speaking on Tuesday, Burns said that the circumstances between Brennan’s and McGuinness’s case were “different” as the latter was deemed to have been dealt with at the time by the match referee, and that the referee’s report is “sacrosanct”.
Brennan’s case “has only been cast into the spotlight because of another issue that some people maybe are comparing irrationally, if you want to call it that, because you’re not comparing the same thing,” Burns added.
In his first public comments since suspension – sent via his solicitor Conor Salley – Brennan has sought “to correct certain matters now brought into the public domain by the association”.
The statement reads: “My client never had a wish to publicise his case and significantly has not made any public comment since the match in Galway but now feels compelled to do so.
“Firstly, my client welcomes the massive GAA public support for him personally and for his position in the mainstream and social media, both in the aftermath of the conclusion of the process nearly 7 weeks ago, and again in recent weeks.
“He thanked the CHC, CAC and DRA members at the conclusion of each hearing and wishes to thank them again publicly, for the expedient and professional manner in which his case was dealt, despite his obvious personal disappointment at the outcome.”
The statement notes that Brennan was “extremely surprised” at Burns’ public comments on Tuesday, adding that the president’s characterisation of comparisons between the Brennan and McGuinness incidents as irrational is “insulting to those holding that widely held view”.
“Moreover, [Brennan] is further concerned that the Uachtarán stated that ‘it’s more embarrassing for the CCCC to lose a case’ brought by it at hearing, appeal, or DRA.
“Indeed, the GAA’s own disciplinary handbook at page 16 states ‘…the process is about getting the right answer, not ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.’
Wednesday’s statement notes that Brennan will be “further suspended for 30% of the NFL in 2027″.
“My client is most concerned, that in his view, a consistent and equitable approach is unfortunately not being applied to every team, player and manager by the CCCC, in dealing with disciplinary matters arising.”
“Mr Brennan is heartened however by verbal confirmation from the Uachtarán to Dublin GAA last week, that Ard Comhairle intends considering the fairness of the penalty for the infraction listed at Rial 7.2(c) Category IVa TO 2026, with a view to considering bringing a motion to Congress 2027, to amend or alter the penalty.
“My client is a committed GAA volunteer and has never sought any media attention since his infraction over 10 weeks ago. As a result of his suspension however, his family have suffered, his son’s underage team have been a coach short, the Dublin Senior Football team have been severely prejudiced, and he himself has been personally affected.
“These views were indeed conveyed privately by email to Uachtarán, Ard-stiúrthóir and the CCCC, in advance of yesterday’s public comments. Indeed, Ard-stiúrthóir Tom Ryan had subsequently provided a positive private written response to Mr Brennan.
“My client also wishes to commend and thank his family, close friends and the members of the County Committee and management committee of Dublin GAA for their unwavering support of him.
“It is important however that the above facts of the matter are known publicly given the comments made by the association and the subsequent inaccuracies reported in the media yesterday and today, concerning my client and his case.
“My client would also welcome the GAA publicly putting the record straight.”
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Dublin GAA GAA Ger Brennan response Statement of Intent