THE Dublin County Board, seems determined to go to the High Court to seek a judicial review of their suspension two weeks ago by the Leinster Council from the Under-21 football championship following the controversial match with Offaly.

The secretary of the board, John Costello, said yesterday they were "very peeved indeed" about the issue. "It is against all natural justice that young players who were not even at the match are being punished by the suspension of next year's team as well, as this year's" he said.

"We now have to go through the rule book with our legal advisors, but there is no rush and the matter will be handled calmly and efficiently.

"I can't understand why, Dublin have been punished much more severely than Offaly," Costello said." "They were not involved in a peace-keeping mission, either. I am not making excuses. It was a bad scene. In any event, the whole business lasted a total of two minutes and 10 seconds. The row itself lasted 26 seconds, and the match resumed without, anyone having being injured or forced to leave the pitch because of injury.

"The Offaly goalkeeper, who was involved in the incident with Damien Bolger, made a brilliant save just after the match resumed and was kicking the ball 60 yards out from goal, so a two-year ban for Bolger seems excessive. Our legal people will be looking at the entire situation," Costello said.

The suspensions were handed down by the Leinster Council's activities committee, and the GAA's Central Council heard an appeal last Friday night. Among Dublin's submissions on that occasion was that the decision was not gratified by the full Leinster Council, as is required by a by-law. But the chairman of the Leinster Council said that the matter was "too serious for technicalities."