There’s one word that’s been bandied about a lot but the GAA won’t find it funny.
You probably know well at this stage but in case you didn’t, Diarmuid Connolly has been cleared to play for Dublin in today’s All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo after a successful appeal to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) last night.
The DRA appeal was Connolly’s last hope for reprieve after having a ban imposed and upheld by two separate GAA disciplinary bodies and it is understood that he didn’t learn of his fate until 2.30am this morning.
Naturally, the news was greeted with delight by Dublin fans and scepticism by their Mayo counterparts, but a common thread running through the responses to the news on Twitter was bewilderment at the GAA’s disciplinary processes.
What an absolute joke shop of an organisation #GAA https://t.co/XKyiWFO8Pt
— Redmond Barry (@ReddBarry) September 5, 2015
Great news for Dublin with Dermot free to play today. GAA 's system is some joke #dubsvmayo #dubsby5
— Conal keaney (@ConalKeaney) September 5, 2015
No punishment regardless of crime in GAA now. Mayo can't complain after getting Keegan & Keane off through loopholes in the last 12 mnths…
— Peter Sweeney (@Sweeney_Peter) September 5, 2015
GAA, like most things in this country, is dominated by self-interest. No one interested in doing the right thing.
— Peter Sweeney (@Sweeney_Peter) September 5, 2015
Connolly cleared. Kevin Keane got off in similar circumstances. But system is a joke. Has red/yellow ban ever been upheld in recent years?
— Eoin Butler (@eoinbutler) September 5, 2015
Wow! Diarmuid Connolly has been cleared to play against Mayo. Dublin officials to next find out what happened to Shergar
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) September 5, 2015
Between the Connolly and Keane decisions this summer, you must have to take a lads head clear off for it to be a red card for striking. #gaa
— Colm Gannon (@ColmGannon) September 5, 2015
Connolly decision is a disgrace but two such calls have gone Mayo's way in last 12 months. All wrong. All embarrassing for the GAA.
— Rob Murphy (@murphyrob) September 5, 2015
It makes absolutely no sense to me how you can overturn that Connolly red card. No more than Kevin Keane's for striking Murphy. #jokeshop
— Mike Quirke (@Mike_Quirke) September 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/Graememolloy/status/640064150425763842
I feel like I'm after waking up on Christmas morning ! Dermo is cleared to play for Dublin ! #COYBIB pic.twitter.com/xsJTpFR3Xm
— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) September 5, 2015
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