NEWS:THE GAA'S Central Hearings Committee (CHC) had no choice but to clear Diarmuid Connolly to play for Dublin in their All-Ireland final showdown against Kerry on Sunday week – although the Dublin County Board still had a back-up case, if they didn't.

Video evidence of the red-card incident in Dublin’s semi-final win over Donegal – including a second camera angle not seen on the original footage – formed the basis of Dublin’s case at the CHC hearing in Croke Park on Monday, and on reviewing that evidence, Connolly’s red card was effectively downgraded to a yellow, which carries no suspension.

According to a statement from the GAA, Connolly had been reported by referee Maurice Deegan for “striking with the hand”, but the CHC “found that the evidence presented disclosed an infraction but one less serious than that alleged, that is to say, ‘to engage in any other form of rough play’. Accordingly no suspension was imposed on Diarmuid Connolly.”

But doubts also emerged yesterday as to whether Deegan had correctly noted Connolly’s name in his notebook at the time of the incident, which, under rule, might also have cleared Connolly of the suspension on a technicality. This, however, might only have emerged had Dublin needed to pursue the case further, namely to the Central Appeals Committee.