Galvin apologises but still faces ban

GAELIC GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 NEWSHE SAID he's sorry and put it all down to "a huge level of frustration", yet Kerry football captain Paul Galvin is still facing further punishment for his actions towards the match referee in Sunday's Munster football semi-final against Clare.

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will meet this morning to review incidents from all the weekend's championship matches, and top of their list will be the report of Tipperary referee Paddy Russell, who while attempting to show Galvin a second yellow card in Sunday's game, had his notebook smacked out of his hands by the Kerry captain, who then proceeded to verbally express his disagreement, before moving on to do likewise to the match linesman.

While Russell picked up his notebook to issue the second yellow card, and subsequent red, the incident falls under GAA rule 143, which deals with player infractions. Rule 143 (b) has two categories dealing with such interference with the referee: Category IV states that "minor physical interference with (e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to a referee, umpire, linesman or sideline official" results in a minimum 12-week suspension.

Category V states that "any type of assault on a referee, umpire, linesman or sideline official" results in a minimum 48-week suspension.

It's almost impossible to envisage how Galvin will not be charged with one of these infractions. Russell is no stranger to such indiscipline and acted decisively when he refereed the infamous Dublin-Meath National League meeting on April 20th, issuing five straight red cards and 11 yellow cards, while his match report helped contribute to the 16 player suspensions subsequently handed down by the CCCC.

A 12-week suspension would rule Galvin out of action for Kerry until the All-Ireland final on September 21st - provided, or course, they make it that far. While some such punishment seems likely, it seems equally likely Galvin will pursue every route of appeal, given the general interpretation of the incident, which is that Galvin had called on the linesman to bring to the referee's attention his claim Clare defender John Hayes was provoking him off the ball.

Kerry County Board chairman Jerome Conway last night declined to comment on an appeal, at least until the CCCC make their decision: "At the moment it's not a question of defending the player," he said. "We first have to await the CCCC decision on this, and then it's a question of the player either accepting that, or requesting a hearing on that decision. But we just don't know that for the time being."

Galvin went on RTÉ news yesterday in an effort to defuse some of the controversy, apologising for his actions, but also suggesting there was some level of provocation which resulted in his frustration. "Clearly what happened was born out of a huge level of frustration, for me," said Galvin. "The exact details of what happened I don't really want to get into. There is a relevant body that will deal with that.

"But clearly what happened was wrong, and I was out of order to do what I did. And I regret what I did. And I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to the match officials, and to the management of Kerry, and my team-mates, and particularly the Kerry supporters, who I feel like I've let down.

"I've no problem admitting what I did was wrong. This year, personally, has been hugely frustrating. I'm captain of Kerry, and I haven't kicked a ball since the All-Ireland final last year. It was a big day for me, a huge honour for me, and I was really looking forward to it. And I worked so hard. I missed the whole league campaign and had been training on my own. And I just felt it was all taken away. I was hugely frustrated, and my gesture was one of frustration more than anything else.

"Of course it sets a bad example . . . I can't condone what I did. I shouldn't have done what I've done, and for any of the kids that were there it sets a poor example. And as trainer of teams it does set a bad example to young players."

Galvin also defended his disciplinary record, suggesting his reputation often preceded him and pointing out he had been sent off in only one of his previous 28 championship games - the 2006 All-Ireland quarter-final against Armagh after an altercation with Armagh water-carrier John Toal.

The CCCC will most likely inform Galvin of their decision sometime tomorrow evening, after which he will have three days to either accept their decision, or seek a hearing with the Central Hearings Committee.

Meanwhile, Kerry are still awaiting a full diagnosis on the knee injury sustained by forward Declan O'Sullivan in Sunday's game. An X-ray ruled out any bone damage, and the indications are he has sustained ligament damage, and not the dreaded cruciate tear.