Caffrey claims Dubs 'hung out to dry'

Paul Caffrey believes Dublin are being made an example of by the GAA after eight of his players received suspensions for their…

Paul Caffrey believes Dublin are being made an example of by the GAA after eight of his players received suspensions for their part in the brawl during their league match with Meath on Sunday.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) yesterday gave both county boards a €20,000 fine and also suspended eight Meath players.

Dublin will not be appealing the fine, but Caffrey claimed this afternoon that the county has "been hung out to dry on this."

He added that the media reaction was "over the top" and agreed with selector David Billings' assertion that GAA president Nickey Brennan had "prejudiced" the CCCC's investigation by claiming he was "disgusted" by the 29-man brawl.

READ MORE

Caffrey, however, reiterated his post match comments that he regretted the incidents occurred but thought referee Paddy Russell a "handled it pretty well".

Three Dublin players (Paddy Andrews, Bernard Brogan and Ciaran Whelan) were sent off.  Whelan has since apologised and said he will not be appealing the eight-week ban he received for punching Seamus Kenny minutes after the melee.

Whelan has been joined by teammates Ross McConnell, Paul Flynn and Eamonn Fennell in accepting the proposed suspensions.

The four Dublin players have indicated they will not seek hearings. However, it is understood that Bernard Brogan, Diarmuid Connolly, Paddy Andrews and Tomas Quinn intend to take their cases to the Central Hearings Committee.

With five Meath players set to miss two championship games, it is anticipated a number of players from the Royal county will appeal against their punishments.

Goalkeeper Brendan Murphy, defenders Niall McKeigue, Kenny and Shane McAnarney and midfielder Nigel Crawford are facing eight-week bans.

Darren Fay, Caoimhin King and forward Peadar Byrne will have four weeks on the sidelines, if any appeal is rejected.

The teams have three days from the issuing of yesterday's bans to appeal.