GAELIC GAMES/DISCIPLINARY STRUCTURES:THE GAA have endeavoured to tighten up their disciplinary structures in recent years but when a highly respected inter-county referee like Monaghan's Pat McEnaney is critical, further examination is required.

“I would like to get our disciplinary system right,” said McEnaney yesterday. “I would like to get the rugby disciplinary system where we referee the match on a Sunday, a committee looks at a game on a Monday, downgrades or upgrades a decision, a player has a right to appeal and at that appeal it is the end of the story.

“In other words we are clinical, clean and clear.”

McEnaney also called for the burden to be removed from the official’s shoulders.

A referee, like McEnaney was in the recent Tyrone versus Derry game, is asked by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) to highlight incidents of foul play on video after matches, and alter his report accordingly, but not do likewise when replays offer evidence that clears a player.

McEnaney noted this anomaly when speaking at yesterday’s announcement of the GAA referee development plan.

“Absolutely. It should never come back to a referee to look at a game. I think we are the only sport in the world where we come back to the referee when they want to upgrade a decision.

“They don’t come back to a referee when they want to downgrade a decision but they are the rules we work with. John Bannon has a motion with the Longford County Board (to make the CCCC take over the citing process) and I’m supporting that motion.

“We should cut out all the layers. A review panel, if it’s required on the Monday night, and every player should have a right to appeal, but all done in the space of four or five days.”

Obvious flaws in the current disciplinary system are further highlighted by direct comparisons between the recent Jerry Flannery and Paul Galvin cases.

Both men were suspended arising from incidents on Saturday, February 13th.

The Ireland rugby international hooker kicked French winger Alexis Palisson in the Six Nations match in Paris. Four days later Flannery received a six-week suspension (that includes the weekend he is due to return, so no rugby until Monday, March 29th) after being cited by the independent match commissioner and not the referee, who merely cautioned him and reversed the penalty after consulting his touch judge.

Later that evening, Galvin was shown a straight red card after an incident with Cork’s Eoin Cadogan in the National Football League.

An eight-week ban was only confirmed by the CCCC on Thursday, February 18th, one day after the Flannery hearing was concluded with a decision.

Galvin requested a personal hearing with the Central Hearings Committee, which adjourned on February 25th, without a decision pending their written judgement, which followed last Monday, confirming Galvin’s eight weeks are to be served.

The footballer of the year has the option of taking his case to the Central Appeals Committee and then on to the independent body known as the Disputes Resolution Authority.

Word from the Kerry County Board is such steps will not be taken but they would take at least another fortnight to reach a conclusion.

Flannery did opt to appeal and his suspension was upheld at a hearing in London yesterday.

The professional versus amateur argument for the time delay doesn’t carry much weight as the disciplinary committees involved in the Six Nations cases also have separate legal, or otherwise, careers. The delay in written judgment doesn’t appear to be a hindrance either.

The rugby system starts with a citing officer, moving on to a three-man disciplinary hearing the following week that usually provides a verdict on the same day. The same occurs for the appeals system.

The GAA process is delayed by the CCCC meeting to decide if the referee should review the match before he reports back to CCCC with a new or unchanged opinion. Then a suspension is simply announced.

The player can request a hearing with the CHC. Once he receives a written judgment he can appeal to the CAC. Once he receives a written judgement from the CAC he can appeal to the DRA.

JERRY FLANNERY:

Saturday, February 13th:Kicks Alexis Palisson in Paris. Penalised but no yellow or red card.

Monday, February 15th (12.55pm):Cited for kicking under law 10.4 (c).

Tuesday, February 16th (1.11pm):Hearing set for Wednesday in Dublin.

Wednesday, February 17th (12.55pm):Suspended for six weeks for a mid-range offence, reduced by two weeks due to Flannery admitting his wrong-doing.

Wednesday, February 24th (1.45pm):Appeal announced and set for one week later.

Wednesday, March 3rd (1.36pm):Appeal dismissed. Case closed.

PAUL GALVIN:

Saturday, February 13th:Red card for "striking" Cork's Eoin Cadogan.

Thursday, February 18th:Eight-week suspension handed down by Central Competitions Control Committee (four weeks doubled as second Category II offence in 48-week period). No official release. Kerry state they will seek an appeal but cannot confirm as much until they receive written judgement.

Thursday, February 25th:Galvin goes before Central Hearing Committee. Case adjourned pending written judgment.

Monday, March 1st:CHC uphold CCCC eight-week suspension.

Tuesday, March 2nd:Official confirmation of eight weeks for "striking with the hand" released at 5.25pm.

*Central Appeals Committee and Disputes Resolution Authority remain options, but the Kerry County Board have indicated Galvin is not expected to continue with the appeal process.