KERRY FOOTBALLJUST WHEN you thought it was safe to pick up a newspaper and not find Paul Galvin's name brandished across the GAA pages this happens. The association's director general Pádraic Duffy informed the Kerry County Board yesterday that their suspended team captain is not allowed return to training with Pat O'Shea's panel.
Galvin togged out earlier this week for his first session since his dismissal, and subsequent 24-week suspension, in the Munster championship semi-final against Clare on June 15th.
Galvin had the ban reduced to 12 weeks by a Central Hearings Committee (CHC) that included no members from the actual CHC. Confused? Try following this seemingly never ending topic these past two and half months.
The Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) - the last leg of a marathon appeal process - ruled that "procedural irregularities" meant the Galvin case must be reheard by the CHC, who brought in a "once-off" new committee in order not to prejudice the process.
The result was Galvin's original six-month suspension was reduced to three.
This means Galvin will be available for the All-Ireland final on September 21st, should Kerry advance past Cork on August 24th.
"He has not got clearance from the GAA," said the association's president Nickey Brennan. "The situation is that Kerry asked for an interpretation of rule from Croke Park which we didn't want to give because it is not our job to do that.
"I understand he trained earlier this week. Kerry have now been informed in writing by the Ard Stiúrthóir (Duffy) that it is his belief, and my belief, that it is contrary to rule. He has been told not to train and Kerry have accepted that."
Considering Down selector DJ Kane received an additional ban earlier this season for giving a team talk at half-time in the drawn championship match against Tyrone, while confined to the stand, Brennan was asked if any further sanction would be coming Galvin's way for this indiscretion.
"No, what happened happened and we are not going to review that situation. Kerry have been communicated with officially and they have accepted that."
Kerry County Board chairman Jerome Conway accepted the decision from Croke Park, but did provide the reason behind the board's recommendation that Galvin return to the camp.
"We were led to believe it was up to the Kerry County Board to interpret the rule as we saw fit. The rule is not very specific. However, Croke Park's interpretation meant he cannot and we accept that. Paul Galvin will be able to return to training after the 6th of September."
Conway is, however, right. The rule on a suspended player attending training sessions is written in such a manner that it is open to interpretation.
Rule 149 (c) of the GAA official guide, "The Effect of a Suspension," states that Galvin cannot feature "in games (including tournaments and challenge games) as specified, and from acting as a referee, umpire, linesman or sideline official".
Part (d) adds that suspended players cannot attend "functions, privileges and competitions under the associations control" There is no mention of training sessions.
Meanwhile, the Central Competitions Control Committee meet next Monday when they are expected to ask hurling referee Michael Wadding to review a incident that led to Kilkenny's James Fitzpatrick being stretchered off during Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final after replays show a Cork player striking him in the groin.
