By John Fogarty
Philly McMahon and the Dublin County Board won’t be appealing the defender’s one-match ban after the Central Hearings Committee last night upheld the proposed suspension.
McMahon was punished for an incident involving Kieran Donaghy towards the end of last month’s All-Ireland final where he made contact with the Kerry captain’s face.
In the wake of the match, McMahon categorically denied eye-gouging Donaghy, while Donaghy himself said he would prefer not to see any action taken as a result of what happened between the pair.
A candidate for player of the year, McMahon was handed a recommended one-match penalty by the Central Competitions Control Committee on foot of the group reviewing video evidence.
He sought a hearing, which took place in Croke Park last night, but Dublin chairman Sean Shanley confirmed to the Irish Examiner this morning that they won’t be taking his case any further.
It means McMahon will now miss Dublin’s Division 1 opener against Kerry in Croke Park on January 30.
Shanley explained: “He had a hearing and that’s where we will be leaving it. We felt it was harsh, he was challenging for the ball with the player who was on the ground but we won’t be going any further with it.”