Westmeath midfielder Rory O'Connell has been suspended for 12 weeks by the GAC after being found guilty of stamping on Offaly's Paschal Kellaghan in the Leinster football championship game on May 23rd. He was shown a straight red card after referee Paddy Russell consulted with his linesman.
The ban means O'Connell (the only player from Westmeath to receive an All Star) will not play any further part in the county's championship run this year, unless they make it to the All-Ireland semi-final on August 29th. A decision on whether O'Connell will appeal is expected in the coming days.
"Rory is understandably shattered," said county board secretary and team selector Paddy Collins. "It's very hard to take in that he will be absent for the height of the summer."
"Rory is an honest and honourable man who has proclaimed his innocence," said county board chairman Seamus Whelan. "It will be an individual appeal but we will do everything in our power to help him. We believe in his innocence."
A letter was read out at yesterday's disciplinary hearing from Kellaghan but not in the presence of the Westmeath contingent, which consisted of Páidí Ó Sé, O'Connell and Whelan.
Westmeath also have injury problems ahead of their Leinster semi-final against Wexford. David O'Shaughnessy, O'Connell's long-term partner at midfield, is a doubt after damaging the soles of both his feet on the Croke Park surface.
John Keane, who had an X-ray on his ankle after Sunday's victory over Dublin, is also a concern although no fracture was found.
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