Diarmuid Connolly loses appeal against suspension

Diarmuid Connolly looks almost certainly out of Saturday's All-Ireland football semi-final replay against Mayo after losing his appeal against a one-match suspension in the early hours of Friday morning.

The GAA’s Central Appeals Committee rejected the Dublin player’s case for overturning the ban.

It is thought likely however that Connolly will make an application to have his suspension struck at the Disputes Resolution Authority, the GAA’s independent arbitration body in a final attempt to be eligible for the sell-out replay at Croke Park.

Connolly was handed the suspension on Wednesday night by the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee for the red card he received from referee Joe McQuillan in last weekend’s drawn match in Croke Park.

The sending-off occurred in the 74th minute after an off-the-ball incident between Connolly and Mayo's Lee Keegan, who is seen bringing down the Dublin forward, which causes a brawl on the ground during which the latter is seen to strike his opponent with the fist.

Connolly was granted deliverance from a previous red card in an All-Ireland semi-final, four years ago when cleared by the CHC after being sent off in that year’s semi-final for striking Donegal replacement Marty Boyle.

In that case, Laois referee Maurice Deegan took the advice of his linesman Rory Hickey before issuing the red card but there had been clear provocation from Boyle, who pushed the Dublin player after Connolly had been fouled and then obviously exaggerated the impact after the Dublin player twice pushed him with an open hand.

The verdict brings to an end a run of fortuitous All-Ireland decisions in favour of Mayo and Dublin, which have enabled players to avoid suspension in high-profile matches.

In addition to Connolly’s 2011 escape, last month Mayo defender Kevin Keane had a red card struck down by the CHC despite striking Michael Murphy – a decision that attracted widespread criticism.