Sent off for striking - which he did. It's a disgrace he's been cleared.

rcarragh (Dublin) - Posts: 305 - 05/09/2015 10:07:50    1782528

"The Panel's decision related to lack of fair procedure afforded to Mr. Connolly at an early stage in the GAA's internal disciplinary process which unfairly hindered the preparations for, and presentation of, his defence. Mr Connolly was thus free to play in the replay of the above match on 5 September.

Clearly GAA went about making connolly a scapegoat
DRA is made up of solicitors and barristers and was chaired by supreme court judge

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 05/09/2015 10:09:26    1782529

The whole thing is a mess - its totally wrong that Connolly got off, but to show consistency which the GAA are alien too - Connolly had to be cleared. I guess the GAA eventually got there in the end!

I'd me amazed if he has much of a positive impact in today's game. But he is such a talent who knows.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 05/09/2015 10:10:05    1782530

After Keegan was cleared for the replay against Kerry it seemed as though the new ref Cormac Reilly took offence at his colleague being undermined and proceeded with a successful one-man crusade against Mayo...............just saying...

ponga (Mayo) - Posts: 649 - 05/09/2015 10:10:53    1782531

jimbo

I think it's quite clear that common sense hasn't won jimbo, more than just Connolly should have been banned but instead everybody is available, that's anything but common sense, it's a farce.

I really hope we get a good, clean game today but when you have a situation where 30+ lads know that they can get a straight red and more than likely still play the next day then what real incentive is there to behave? Also should the referee even bother with red cards today, if he issues one it will more than likely to overturned anyway, which completely undermines his decision!

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 05/09/2015 10:12:22    1782533

Jimbo you're so wrong it's not even funny.

If you watch the spectator footage from the side you can see connelly goes for him and starts the whole headlock. He actually did a better job of that too.

Do you really believe your lies or are you just stuck in siege mentality and sense won't prevail?

I presume you're going to say he put a hand on him and checked his run so I'll assume you also think that every dub who keeps tabs on his man deserves a dig.

Good man.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 05/09/2015 10:12:37    1782534

Okay so OJ has got off... The Association that runs our great games should hold its head in shame this morning. But not only them the Dublin board to even question the decision... A lot of blood on people's hands today I'm afraid. The game is now open to every thug in the land 2 do as he pleases I hope you guys are proud...; (

But on the positive side it stops all the dubs using OJ as an excuse when Mayo teach your boys a footballing lesson this evening!! Lee Keegan had OJ in his pocket all day last Sunday & will relish the chance again.. Dublin be Afraid Mayo will show you who is boss and football will win the day!!!

#ComeOnMayo

Mancirish (UK) - Posts: 2200 - 05/09/2015 10:12:47    1782536

Cavan_Slasher
County: Cavan
Posts: 9816

1782487
This makes a mockery of rules.
Caught striking but gets off on appeal. Madness.
Don't care where he's from either. This is just wrong.
-----
I agree Slasher but O'Connor was caught on video striking too in the same incident. I would have accepted the Connolly ban had he not been driven to the floor, headlocked and received a punch to the stomach. If anything it goes to show that some kind of TMO is required for these type of incidents when several players are involved. The law is an ass though.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 05/09/2015 10:13:47    1782537

The DRA is independent of the GAA and must allow for a typical legal defence. Which would include the right to defends oneself from attack. The CCCC and the CAC only take into account the rules of the GAA.

Marse (Dublin) - Posts: 217 - 05/09/2015 10:14:40    1782538

that's what I was thinking, pongo

Gavvygavgav (Dublin) - Posts: 383 - 05/09/2015 10:18:34    1782543

Brolly
County: Monaghan
Posts: 4045

1782498
JayP - wise up - we're not talking about other incidences. Each is separate. Connolly was deliberately dragged down - the player who pulled him down received a yellow. Connolly struck a punch, received a red - typical, normal decision, we see it all the time. Yet, Connolly gets off with breaking a clear rule. What a JOKE!

----
You clearly didn't see the incident Brolly as you haven't mentioned O'Connor. Or maybe you didn't mention him because it didn't suit your argument.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 05/09/2015 10:18:38    1782544

Connolly's band was overturned by the DRA when thy found that his earlier appeals were initially hindered by the hearing bodies. It's an administrative error on behalf of those committees rather than a decision based on anything that went on on the football field.

Gavvygavgav (Dublin) - Posts: 383 - 05/09/2015 10:20:31    1782549

He obviously got off because of the precedent that had been set. Whether you love it or hate it that's what should have happened at the first hearing but as usual you are dealing with decision makers that suffer from a severe case of gombeenism.
If its the wrong decision then its wrong because they allowed this scenario unfold.
Blame the law not the lawyers.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 05/09/2015 10:20:49    1782550

An absolute joke. Caught punching someone on the ground is the mark of an utter cretin in the first place but to then get away with it makes a mockery of the whole system. How more clear-cut could it be?

srb (Antrim) - Posts: 344 - 05/09/2015 10:22:43    1782554

Is anyone really surprised here? It's not as if this is the first time someone has got off for such an offence or gone through the appeals process like this to do so. This is another tick on the long list of the lack of consistency and the undermining of referees within the GAA
I have a feeling this will be to Mayo's benefit though. Dublin have misplaced their focus all week and not concentrated on the game. Mayo's performance in the last 10 minutes and Cluxton's meltdown (which I think is going to happen again today) showed Mayo the way to beat them.

keithlemon (Australia) - Posts: 920 - 05/09/2015 10:27:14    1782557

Clearly a absolute shambolic system to clear the guilty! Complete joke!

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 05/09/2015 10:28:25    1782559

If you get caught striking like that in the street the court would find you guilty, but then again its a Dublin player so he got off but i believe what goes around comes around

redonion (Down) - Posts: 180 - 05/09/2015 10:29:10    1782561

Best of luck to both teams today, all considered its only fair that both teams play with a full squad.No EXCUSES.

lorcano (Monaghan) - Posts: 48 - 05/09/2015 10:29:58    1782562

Delighted for him, totally neutral legal professionals made a correct call finally at God knows what hour last nite. Gaa are a joke, the anti Dubs bias is just so obvious.....Cmon the Dubs !!!

Mollymalone (Dublin) - Posts: 1137 - 05/09/2015 10:31:53    1782566

Well well well Dublin get a helping hand again from the Gaa powers that be. That's twice Connolly has belted someone and walked. Looks like the rulebook only applies to about 29-30 counties. You would have to wonder should the rest of us just stay at home and keep our money in our pockets and let the Gaa have the two or three counties they want at the end anyway. This decision is a disgrace and a farce but what makes it worse is we all knew it was exactly how the whole charade would end up. Throw out the rulebooks lads and hang your heads.

kildare73 (Kildare) - Posts: 854 - 05/09/2015 10:34:42    1782569