THE APPEAL AGAINST Tipperary hurler Jason Forde’s controversial two-match ban arising out of the recent league semi-final against Wexford is set to be heard next week.
The Silvermines club man could miss out on Tipperary’s Munster quarter-final against Cork on 21 May due to suspension and their championship outing after that – either a provincial semi-final against Waterford or an All-Ireland qualifier tie – if the ban remains.
County board chairman Michael Bourke has told Tipp FM that he is confident that they can have ‘a severe injustice’ overturned.
Tipperary have opted to fight on behalf of Forde after he was slapped with the punishment following a clash with Davy Fitzgerald in the victory over Wexford at Nowlan Park on 16 April.
Forde’s case will first be heard by the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and if unsuccessful there, Tipperary could then potentially bring it to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) and the independent Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
Speaking after last Sunday’s league final loss to Galway, Tipperary manager Michael Ryan insisted the controversy did not derail their preparations for the game but did express his unhappiness with the sanction.
“Nobody likes to have any kind of an accusation hanging over you and these guys simply want to play hurling. The seriousness of a two-match ban, for any player, is horrendous, to be honest.
“We’ll just be looking that balance and fairness will be the order of the day when we make our case in Croke Park. The proposed punishment does not fit the crime, in my opinion.”
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