Dublin manager Tommy Carr's efforts to haul his team from the NFL Division 1A relegation zone suffered a blow with the news midfield star Ciaran Whelan is suspended for four weeks.
At a meeting of the GAA’s Games Administration Committee (GAC) last night Whelan was found guilty of disrepute resulting from his sending off - for an off-the-ball incident - during Dublin’s home defeat in the league to Roscommon on February 10th.
Roscommon’s Frankie Dolan received an eight-week ban for his sending off in the same game after a sparring match with Dublin defender Martin Cahill.
"Frankie will be a huge loss for the rest of the league campaign . . . he is such a great player," said Roscommon PRO Dominic O'Connell.
O'Connell believes the fracas was caused by the Dublin player. "I was at the match and believe that Cahill hit Frankie first . . . had the linesman seen the first incident, Cahill would have been be off."
He added: "Frankie turned the game on its head with two great points. He is a fine footballer who will have to adapt to the tactics corner backs use in the modern game."
Jason Sherlock’s punishment for his dismissal for an alleged kick aimed at Roscommon’s Clifford McDonald will be addressed at a further GAC meeting as the Dubliner is abroad.
Sherlock’s hearing was due last night but Dublin county secretary John Costello intervened and had the date rescheduled due to the Na Fianna man’s absence.
Derry hurler Emmet McKeever received a four-week suspension for his sending off in the Division 1B National Hurling League defeat to Waterford on February 4th.
Jimmy Guckian and Fergal Reynolds of Leitrim were given four and eight week bans respectively over incidents in the National Football League game against Wicklow on February 10th.
All suspensions apply from the date of the relevant matches.
