KERRY FOOTBALLER BRENDAN O’Sullivan failed a Sport Ireland doping control test following the 2016 Allianz League final, it has been confirmed.
In a statement released this morning, the Kerry GAA board said the Sport Ireland findings accepted that the rule violation was not intentional and O’Sullivan had served the resultant suspension.
O’Sullivan came off the bench for Kerry in the league final defeat to Dublin at Croke Park.
The story was first broken by the Sunday Independent this morning.
“On the 24th of April 2016 Brendan O’Sullivan (Valentia Young Islanders & Kerry) underwent a routine Sport Ireland doping control test following the Allianz League final,” the Kerry GAA statement reads.
“The results of the test indicated a rule violation. Brendan O’Sullivan fully cooperated in assisting Sport Ireland.
“The subsequent findings of Sport Ireland accepted that the rule violation was not intentional and the resultant suspension has been served. Sport Ireland is expected to deliver a written decision shortly.
“All involved with Kerry GAA are delighted to see Brendan back playing football.
“Kerry County Committee and Team Management will be making no further comments until the Sport Ireland report has been issued.”
O’Sullivan didn’t make an appearance for Kerry during the rest of the 2016 season but made his return, as a substitute, in the Kingdom’s 2017 league opener against Donegal in February.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Big, big blow for us and of course Pat Lam, Willie has been a fantastic signing since arriving last season as his regular Player of the Month and Supporters Player of the Season award testified (beating Henshaw & Marmion in the process) .
His loss is best exemplified by the change-around in the second half against Ulster, after he went off at 46mins.
A real pity as a run of games would have given him the chance to impress Joe Schmidt, but like every season if you get injured and miss out the AI squads, you’ll not be considered for the 6N’s. But hopefully Schmidt will incorporate a more traditional 7 in his line up to help slow down oppo ball and speed up our own, and he might get a shot in the future…