Galway champions demand fair hearing
Mountbellew/Moylough GAA Club just wants a ‘fair hearing’ for seven of its players who face lengthy bans over ugly scenes at the final whistle that overshadowed their Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final defeat to Roscommon champions Pádraig Pearses.
The Connacht Council instigated a disciplinary process after match referee Jerome Henry named seven players from the Galway champions who he claimed were abusive towards him at the end of the match on December 11 in Hyde Park, Roscommon.
A portion of the official referee’s report – which was, unusually, leaked and circulated on social media – highlighted the Mayo referee’s version of events, including claims he was pushed in the back twice.
Two Mountbellew/Moylough players face allegations of assaulting the referee and could be sidelined for over a year.
Five more players are said to also have verbally abused the referee and also face bans.
It’s understood the club itself faces hefty financial penalties – in 2011, Corofin was fined over €5,000 following an investigation by the Connacht Council into post-match scenes in which Mayo referee Liam Devenney was escorted off the field in Kiltoom after the Galway champions lost by a point to St Brigid’s of Roscommon in the provincial final filled with controversial decisions.
The Connacht Tribune understands that at least one of the Mountbellew/Moylough players claims not to have been involved in any physical or verbal abuse of officials.
At least two of the seven players would be in contention to play for the Galway senior footballers this year – but that’s doubt if the time suspensions are upheld.
It’s understood that sanctions have been formally issued by the Connacht Council to the players, via the club. The players can either accept the sanctions and serve the suspensions or apply for an oral hearing.
All seven are expected to opt for a hearing to outline their version of events and plead their case.
Read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie