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Brolly described the ban as "unlawful". Lorcan Doherty

'The reality is that they don't have a leg to stand on' - Brolly slams McCann ban

“The point is that here’s a specfic offence and there’s a specific penalty for it.”

SUNDAY GAME PUNDIT Joe Brolly says the GAA “don’t have a leg to stand on” regarding the proposed 8-week ban for Tyrone’s Tiernan McCann.

McCann feigned injury when Monaghan’s Darren Hughes raised a hand to his hair during last Saturday’s All-Ireland football quarter final at Croke Park, with the GAA community reacting angrily to the Tyrone player’s dive.

After several days of debate, the GAA have handed down a proposed 8-week suspension to the Tyrone forward, despite the fact that the usual punishment for feigning injury is just a yellow card.

Speaking on Game On, on RTE’s 2fm, Sunday Game pundit and barrister by trade Joe Brolly says that while he agrees in principle that an 8-week ban is suitable for the offence, the GAA are being “unlawful” by changing the rule book.

“In short the law of statutory interpretation applies to any rule, and in this case, the lawmaker – which is congress – created a specific offence in rule 5 which is to attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul of injury, and the penalty for the is a yellow card.

Tiernan McCann surrounded by Monaghan players James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“The point is that here’s a specific offence and there’s a specific penalty fir it. The purpose of the law is so that a player and the disciplinary bodies are clear as to what the law is, and the GAA public is clear as to what the law is and what the offence is.

“It has two purposes, the first purpose is that we know what the rules are, and the second purpose is that it prevents the lawmaker from abusing his power.

“Congress decided that,. That’s the rule. I don’t like it, I must say. I think the penalty should be a red card for feigning injury and that the minimum ban should be eight weeks,” he said.

Brolly said that while he’s been a fierce critic of several Tyrone players in recent years, he morally objects to the nature of the way the punishment has been handed down to McCann.

“I mean no one’s been as trenchant a critic of Tyrone’s cynicism than I’ve been over the years. I thoroughly dislike it, i think it’s poisonous for the ethos of the game, and there’s no doubt that there’s a good moral reason why the GAA have taken this stance.
“The only reason that they’re doing it in this circumstance is because the punishment they created themselves for the offence of feigning, they now think that’s not a sufficient punishment.”

Brolly added that McCann – who has three days to respond to the charge – is a product of repeated cynicism from Tyrone sides down the years, criticising the way that manager Mickey Harte defended the player on Monday.

“I think for example that the culture of cynicism that they created has become so entrenched in Tyrone, that that is their new reality.

“It actually isn’t Tiernan’s fault because he’s come up in a culture whereof that where it’s entirely acceptable.”

You can listen to Brolly’s full interview on Game On below.


RTÉ2fm / SoundCloud

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Oct 21st 2014, 8:24 AM

    Sure, we all love Chris Ashton.

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    Mute Johnny Fitz
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:04 PM

    I can’t stand Ashton, but is probably entirely based on the fact that he is a controversial character and plays for England. If he signed for Munster tomorrow my view point would probably perform a complete 180. I mean he is a serious threat, a great finisher and scores tries for fun. Ya, he is arrogant and rubs the opposition the wrong way but you can’t have made up entirely of team of humble choir boys, sometimes you need players like Ashton and Zebo with a bit of an ego and attitude.

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    Mute Paul O Mahony
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:36 PM

    Agree totally. He gets under my skin but if he was to sign for Munster I would be a happy man.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Oct 21st 2014, 2:37 PM

    Isnt it the sign of a good player when they get under our skin. We had quinny. We have POM. Leinster have Jennings and had plug. All royal pains in the ass.

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    Mute Johnny Fitz
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    Oct 21st 2014, 3:06 PM

    Exactly sport is full of them. There are the BOD’s, Messi’s, Henry Shefflin’s, Jonny Wilkinson’s that are universally respected and liked because of their character and their style of play. But you need some of the other sort too, your Roy Keane’s and Lawrence Dallaglio’s to be successful…

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:00 PM

    Martin Johnson… schalk burger…. jamie cudmore. List goes on…

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    Mute jerry Clarke
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    Oct 21st 2014, 9:09 AM

    Two over rated wingers! I’d have a fiver on Ashton to win that duel though!

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    Mute Seán Pól O'Finn
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    Oct 21st 2014, 9:13 AM

    2 hattricks in the H-cup so far and Zebos over rated ?

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    Mute Philip O'Brien
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:30 PM

    You pop up on any article about Munster just to have a go at one of the players. What a clown

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Oct 21st 2014, 3:30 PM

    This is a real test for Zebo’s claims for of a World Cup shirt.
    If he can get the better of Aston’s attack he’s really done enough to earn a spot.
    This will be a battle of two of the best attacking wingers in Europe the real question is who can defend against one of the best.

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    Mute Robert Behan
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    Oct 23rd 2014, 6:51 AM

    Two best attacking wingers in Europe? Did you see Wade’s try against Leinster at the weekend and he scores them for fun in the premiership.

    Zebo is a class act but I hope he stops behaving like a bafoon when he scores tries!

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    Mute Cian Walker
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    Oct 21st 2014, 8:50 AM

    We’re so into him in the Pale

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    Mute ad0wQVcN
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    Oct 21st 2014, 3:13 PM

    Of course Zebo likes him. He is an attention seeker too. Both really good players though.

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