Central Hearings Committee 7-2-2012

AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Semi-Final Dromid Pearses v Derrytresk Fir an Chnoic
22.01.2012

Disciplinary action was initiated by the CCCC against Caoimhín Mac Cathmhaoil(‘Behaving in any way which is dangerous to an opponent’), Michael Mac Roibin(‘Contributing to a melee’), Sean Ó Slatár(‘Behaving in a way which is dangerous to an opponent’), Brian O Gáibhin (‘Attempeting to strike’) and Cumann Dhoire Treasc Fir an Chnoic (‘Disruptive conduct by Players, Team Officials and Supporters (not causing the Premature Termination of a Game’)
.
They chose not to accept the penalties proposed and requested a hearing.
A hearing of the Central Hearings Committee took place on .07/08.02.12, following which the following penalties were imposed.

Cumann Dhoire Treasc Fir an Chnoic –
(a) the Club are ineligible to compete in the Provincial or All-Ireland Club Championships for the next 5 years.
(b) The Club can play in the AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Gaelic Football Final on Sunday next with the following restrictions:
i. Only the Bainisteoir, Rúnaí-Sealadach, Doctor (if any) and Physiotherapist (if any) may enter onto the pitch area before the game, at half-time or in the immediate aftermath of the game.
ii. Water Carriers shall be provided by the CCCC.
iii. During the course of the game, the Runai-Sealadach shall remain in the stand with the substitutes.
iv. Only the Team Manager shall be permitted on the sideline.
(c) A fine of €2,500 was imposed.

Caoimhín Mac Cathmhaoil, Michael Mac Roibin, Sean Ó Slatár, Brian O Gáibhin were each suspended for 4 weeks at the same Code and Level, inclusive of the next Game in the same Competition of the Competition Year, even if that Game falls outside the Suspension time period.

The CHC decided that Disciplinary Action should not have proceeded against Seosamh Mac Aoidh.

Disciplinary process explained:

Penalty Proposed.
The Competitions Control Committee proposes a penalty. It is either accepted or rejected.
If it is rejected, a Hearing is granted.

The Hearings Committee (decision makers) either impose a penalty or exonerate based on evidence presented during the Hearing.

If penalty is imposed by the Hearings Committee, and the defending party is not willing to accept the imposed penalty, then an Appeal can be lodged to the Appeals Committee.

The appeal is heard by the Appeals Committee. If Appeal is unsuccessful then the penalty remains imposed and all avenues of Appeal are now exhausted within the GAA ( The Appeal can only be successful where there has been a clear infringement or misapplication of Rule by the Hearings Committee or the Appellants right to a fair hearing has otherwise been compromised to such extent that a clear injustice has occurred).

However, if the defending party is still not willing to accept the imposed penalty, a request for Arbitration may be lodged to the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority) who are an external Independent Body and all their decisions are binding.