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Galway defender Adrian Tuohy has been cleared to participate in next month’s All-Ireland SHC final.
The Tribesemen will feel relieved at the news that the Central Competitions Control Committe (CCCC) have ruled that there is insufficient evidence for the player to warrant a suspension.
There were questions raised over an incident where Tuohy appeared to interfere with Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher’s helmet during the All-Ireland semi-final win over defending champions Tipperary last Sunday. The Sunday Game on RTÉ even brought the incident to light in their analysis of the game, which drew much attention to the prospect of a one-game suspension for the Beagh club hurler, meaning he would miss out on the September 3 meeting with Cork or Waterford.
Of course, Waterford folk will feel agrieved at the ruling of the CCCC in this particular case, as they wait anxiously for the fate of Tadgh de Búrca to be revealed at a Dispute Resolutions Authority meeting tonight ahead of the county’s crunch clash with Cork this weekend. As things stand, the Déise sweeper has seen his case to prove his innocence in an attempt to be available for selection for the Croke Park showdown with the Rebels on Sunday at the Central Hearings and Appeals Committes fall on deaf ears. Derek McGrath’s side have brought the appeal process all the way to the final stage in an effort to overturn the initial decision.
Where as de Búrca was given a straight red card for his offence against Wexford in Waterford’s quarter-final victory by referee Fergal Horgan, Tuohy was not flagged by referee Barry Kelly for his actions on Sunday.
The difference between the two cases is believed to be the question of intent. While de Búrca has been adjudged to have deliberately pulled at the face guard of his opponent, warranting the penalty of a red card and subsequent one-match ban, Tuohy’s case has not been deemed as a deliberate pull at Bonner’s head protection. The rule reads:
“In any way which is dangerous to an opponent, including deliberately pulling on or taking hold of any part of an opponent’s helmet.”
Having overcome Tipp in another epic clash and essentially not put a foot wrong in the championship to date, Galway will now arrive at their ultimate test in the final as favourites to end the 29 year famine in the West for Liam MacCarthy, boosted by the news that Tuohy, who looks to be in line for an All Star award given his performances throughout this campaign so far, will be lining out for the Tribe.
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