Legion footballer accepts 96-week suspension

A SENIOR footballer with Killarney Legion has been suspended for 96 weeks arising from an incident with the match referee in a recent county league match.

Damien O’Sullivan was suspended for the Category VI infraction of striking or attempting to strike referee Dermot Hughes in a County SFL Division One game between Legion and Milltown/Castlemaine on July 16 in Milltown.

Under GAA rule the infraction carries a minimum 48 weeks suspension in all codes and at all levels, but in this case the County Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) proposed a 96-week suspension.

O’Sullivan had the option of accepting the proposed ban or requesting a hearing from the independent Hearings Committee, and the Legion player chose to accept the ban without requesting a hearing.

In the game in question against Milltown/Castlemaine O’Sullivan had been ordered off on a black card by the Listowel Emmets referee in the last moments of the match, but an incident ensued that led to O’Sullivan being reported for striking or attempting to strike the referee, which led to his 96week suspension.

O’Sullivan, who transferred from the Spa club in Killarney to Legion three years ago, was a mainstay of the Legion defence in their run to last year’s County SFC final and replay defeat to South Kerry.

In January he played McGrath Cup football for Kerry against Clare.