GAC likely to examine Devlin incident

Gaelic Games News: The newly-appointed Games Administration Committee (GAC) is suddenly facing a delicate and yet crucial decision in dealing with an apparent stamping incident by Tyrone centre back Gavin Devlin during Sunday's National Football League final at Croke Park.

Television pictures clearly captured Devlin bringing both boots down on the legs of Laois forward Colm Parkinson, and though only a yellow card was issued, it seems certain the GAC will investigate the incident further by examining video evidence.

Just a week ago, however, the GAC cleared three players of any offence when using video evidence to investigate incidents during the Kilkenny-Tipperary NHL game of April 13th. That decision was greeted with a certain amount of disappointment, as it appeared to indicate a softer approach by the new GAC towards disciplinary matters.

The next meeting of the GAC is not scheduled until Wednesday week, May 14th, and any decision to call Devlin for a personal hearing will only be made after the report of Cork referee Michael Collins is also examined. As of yesterday the GAC had yet to receive that report.

The incident, which occurred shortly before half-time, was not seen by the referee, but had clearly caught the attention of one of the umpires. He informed the referee who decided Devlin should only be yellow-carded. Parkinson, though ruffled, also played out the game, which Laois lost by 10 points.

The penalty for stamping under GAA rule 137 is a 12-week suspension, and if Devlin is subsequently deemed guilty of that offence he will be ruled out of action until July 27th - a period that includes the Ulster championship. Tyrone's opening game is against Derry on Sunday week, yet by then there could still be uncertainty about Devlin's fate.

Already the GAC has deferred a disciplinary ruling on Tipperary hurler Eamonn Corcoran, who was red-carded in the NHL game against Galway on April 20th. It was decided further clarification was needed before a decision could be made on whether Corcoran faces more than a one-month suspension.

At this stage it appears Tyrone's only defence will be that the player was acting on reflex, as clearly there was no provocation. But there are also the implications of last week's GAC decision that cleared Kilkenny's Philly Larkin and Henry Shefflin and Tipperary's Ger O'Grady.

In their cases it was deemed the referee's actions on the day were suitable for the offences and shouldn't be overruled on video evidence. Yet this appeared to turn back the clock on the power the previous GAC had fought to have approved over the last three years.

It is understood the new GAC, chaired by Kerry's Tony O'Keeffe, has yet to finalise its policy on video evidence, and were due to nail it down at their next meeting. What they now face is a more urgent than expected need to adopt that policy, while not to be seen to treat Ulster footballers differently to that of the country's top hurlers. Clearly some gritting of teeth will be necessary.

In other disciplinary news it appears Sligo midfielder Eamonn O'Hara will be clear to line-out in their Connacht championship opener against London on May 25th. Last Sunday week O'Hara was red-carded for a sideline scuffle during a club match (in which he wasn't playing), although it is understood the referee's report doesn't make reference to any offence that would carry more than a one-month suspension.

The executive of the county board have examined the report, which occurred during the game between O'Hara's club Tourlestrane and Curry. The clubs have been given five days' notice to examine the report ahead of the full county board meeting next Monday night, when O'Hara's one-month suspension is expected to be confirmed.

Leitrim forward Seamus Quinn was also sent off in extra-time of the championship match against New York at Gaelic Park on Sunday, but only for a second booking, which means he will be available for their next meeting with either Galway or Roscommon on June 1st.

Finally, Sligo hurling was yesterday coming to terms with the resignation of Paudie Fitzmaurice as manager of the county senior side. The former Limerick player stepped down after Monday's NHL division three final defeat to Mayo at Castlebar.

It is reported Fitzmaurice was unhappy with a letter of complaint sent to the county board that criticised the decision to bring nine of the county's minors on the senior panel.