Dublin to lodge appeal against severe penalties

DUBLIN are set to appeal against the penalties handed down by Leinster Council on Wednesday night for their part in the under 21 brawl at Parnell Park on March 15th last.

County board officers were not available for comment but one source close to the board said yesterday: "We are definitely going to appeal." They have seven days, starting from last Wednesday night, in which to lodge the appeal. They can lodge it to the GAA's Management Committee or Central Council.

They will almost certainly appeal against the Leinster Council's decision to expel them from the remainder of this year's under 21 championship. They are also said to be examining whether or not the council went beyond its remit by banning them from next year's competition also.

Council secretary Michael Delaney rejected any suggestion of this nature however. "We are happy that we have the authority to accept any team into our competitions or to reject any team," he said.

The decision to ban corner forward Damien Bolger for two years will be appealed. The Dublin manager, Dave Billings, received a one year ban for his part in the brawl while three Dublin substitutes, Anthony O'Gorman, Shane Heraty and Brendan Shovlan all received six months. Paul Croft, the one Dublin player sent off by referee Frank Toher, received three months for striking.

Offaly were banned from next year's competition also and six of their players received bans of varying lengths. The maximum was three months, imposed on John Mason and Trevor Willis, both of whom were sent off after the brawl. Mason was reported by Toher for "kicking and boxing" but is adamant that Toher got the wrong man.

Three Offaly substitutes, Ivan Dunne, Adrian Mahon and Stephen Byrne, each received two month suspensions while the third Offaly player sent oft, John Greene, got two weeks for two personal fouls committed before the brawl ignited.

Having heard the submissions from both parties on Wednesday night, the council's 10 man executive committee obviously felt that Dublin were the more culpable party. The sentences handed down, said Delaney, were a reflection of how we felt the guilt should be apportioned. We are satisfied from all the evidence that somebody associated with Dublin started the row."

Former Dublin manager Pat O'Neill was at the game and believes that Dublin have been unjustly penalised. "It was a free for all and there were a few nasty incidents, but I've seen worse. Taking the team out of the competition will do untold damage because your under 21 team is your developmental team for the senior side. Some of them are very promising players but what are they going to do for the next two years? I feel some of them will end up playing other codes."

O'Neill maintains that Dublin were punished disproportionately to Offaly. Leaving aside the alleged actions of Bolger and Billings, he could see little difference in responsibility. "I could honestly see no difference in the contributions of both parties to the row. My own personal opinion is that, even going back 20 years, any time Dublin go to a disciplinary meeting they get hammered."

Delaney revealed that Bolger was accused at the hearing of kicking the Offaly goalkeeper, Declan Kelly, on the ground during the fracas. He admitted to the charge and "apologised profusely". He also shook hands with Kelly and apologised to him in person. The committee felt, said Delaney, that Bolger had been "honourable" in his approach to the matter.

The meeting also heard Offaly player John Ryan accuse Billings of striking him during the brawl. His evidence was corroborated by team mates but Billings subsequently denied the allegation.

Allegations that the three Dublin substitutes came on and struck Offaly players were substantiated by video evidence. They admitted to the offences at the hearing.

The Offaly county board chairman, Brendan Ward, said yesterday they had not yet decided on an appeal. The board's executive held a meeting in Tullamore last night to discuss the matter. Asked if the punishments meted out were a fair reflection of events on the day, he replied: "I would say so.

The Offaly substitutes were upset by their suspensions but the council had given them a very fair hearing, he said. "They were shocked at the decision, they felt that they went in to help one of the players who was on the ground. Barry Mooney got a belt in the eye and they say they went in to look after him. I don't think any of them got involved.

"But I suppose it's delivering a message and the message is that, if you re a sub, you stay in the dugout until you're called on to the pitch."

John Mason reiterated his claims of innocence and said it had been a case of mistaken identity. He had been tussling with Croft, he said, immediately before the brawl. "The referee sorted that out and next thing - the row erupted on the far side of the field. I'm actually seen in the video looking over at the brawl, the ref must have mixed me up with another player."