Support for Galvin grows in Kerry

AS SUPPORT within Kerry for the suspended football captain Paul Galvin began to find its voice yesterday, the county board sought additional time before presenting their case to the Central Hearings Committee.

Tonight's CHC meeting will not address the six-month ban handed down by the Central Competitions Control Committee for Galvin's "interference" with referee Paddy Russell during last Sunday's Munster semi-final victory over Clare.

"This has come too soon," said the Kerry county board secretary, Eamon O'Sullivan, yesterday.

"Hopefully (the hearing) will take place next week as we want to put it to bed as soon as possible."

The disciplinary process looks set to continue, if necessary, to the Central Appeals Committee and Disputes Resolution Authority as Galvin seeks a reduction under rule 143 (category I, II and IV) to the minimum of 12 weeks. This would see him return before the All-Ireland final on September 21st should Kerry reach the final.

Support for the Feale Rangers man from high-profile Kerrymen was in evidence on RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland, the Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan, a Finuge clubmate of Galvin, and the former Kerry manager Jack O'Connor taking the view Galvin had been "demonised".

"What actually happened in the game is he was being clipped off the ball by the Clare wing back," said O'Connor. "Instead of exacting retribution himself he went looking to the linesman for protection and that was possibly the sensible option. Rather than dealing with it properly the linesman made a mistake and told the referee to book both players. Galvin got a second yellow because of that. That sends a very bad message out to players. If somebody is messing with you off the ball there is no point in looking to the officials for help."

The severity of the suspension, O'Connor said, has caused "shock" in Kerry and was a "tragedy" for the Kerry half forward. "Everyone was expecting that he might get three months. That would have given him some straw to hang onto for the year. He could have kept training with the team and possibly had some part to play if Kerry were to reach an All-Ireland final. They've taken the last straw away from him. We just feel the six months is out of proportion."

The CHC will also hear from the Down assistant manager DJ Kane, who also received 24 weeks arising from his presence, while under suspension, on the touchline and dressingroom during the drawn Ulster football quarter-final against Tyrone on June 8th.