LAST night's meeting of the GAA's Games Administration Committee, convened at Croke Park to consider the outbreak of violence in the early stages of last month's All Ireland football final replay, heard testimony from the Mayo and Meath players summoned to give evidence. After hearing the players individually, the GAC remained until late in order to deliberate on a decision.
That decision is not expected to be made public until tonight at the earliest. Both County Boards will be notified this evening and players will then be notified of their fate.
Of the players, Liam McHale of Mayo and Meath's Colm Coyle will definitely be suspended as both were sent off in the match and are currently under automatic suspension.
Video evidence in relation to the other players called was at the heart of the GAC's considerations last night.
The Mayo contingent was: Liam McHale, Noel Connelly (Captain), David Brady, Colm McManamon, Anthony Finnerty, John Casey, Ray Dempsey and manager John Maughan. Full forward John Casey was unable to be present. They were also accompanied by county chairman Fr Noel Forde.
Meath players present were: Colm Coyle, Conor Martin, Darren Fay, Enda McManus, John McDermott, Jimmy McGuinness, Trevor Giles, Graham Geraghty and manager Sean Boylan. County chairman Fintan Ginnity also attended.
The members of the GAC who conducted the hearing were: Dan McCartan (Down), chairman, Jimmy O'Gorman (Waterford), Paddy Collins (National Referees' Administrator) Danny Murphy (Down), Phelim Murphy (Galway), Paddy Muldoon (Mayo), Noel Morris (Tipperary), Tommy Murphy (Kilkenny), Pat Dunny (Kildare). Mickey Moran (Derry) was originally a member but stood down on becoming manager of the Sligo footballers.
