TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD secretary Tim Floyd has been discussing Seamus Callanan’s sending-off against Offaly from this year’s Allianz Hurling League quarter-final in his report to annual convention.
Floyd believes that the Callanan case, which led to a “bizarre series of hearings”, showed up “glaring inconsistencies in the GAA disciplinary system.”
After their case was dismissed at Central Hearings Committee (CHC) level, Floyd reveals that Tipp decided to take the matter all the way when it was discussed at a training camp in Spain.
“We had to make every effort to see justice done and so on return we appealed to the Central Appeals Committee which is the final level of appeal before going to the DRA.
“We got a very fair hearing from Central Appeal under the chairmanship of Matt Shaw and there was no legal argument being put up this time against our case.
“Our efforts were justified as we were verbally informed on the night that our appeal was upheld.
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Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“The written verdict later confirmed that and stated that ‘whilst the Referee’ report is presumed to be correct on matters of fact Central Hearing Committee had, in failing to accept video evidence as compelling evidence, made a decision of fact which in the view of the Central Appeals has been shown to be manifestly incorrect.’
“They also added that ‘the Central Hearing Committee infringed a rule in finding that the infraction ‘striking with minimal force’ was more likely to have occurred than not to have occurred because in the view of the Central Appeals no Hearings Committee acting reasonably could have come to this view.’
“To me, this was a conflicting difference of opinion by two committees dealing with discipline and fully justified our efforts in proving that the original sending off was a miscarriage of justice.
Seamus Callanan was eventually cleared to play against Waterford.
“With just over 48 hours to spare Seamus Callanan was cleared to play against Waterford in the League semi-final.
“Tipp, playing below form, lost to the Decies side by one point.
“Still, it is nice to know that there is justice in the disciplinary system but we had to go through an exhaustive process to achieve it.”
Floyd has also written about Tipperary’s All-Ireland semi-final exit to Galway, indicating that the Tribesmen’s display “came like a bolt out of the blue and showed up many inadequacies which left us very vulnerable.
“It was bitter disappointment for Eamon O’Shea who bowed out after his three years in charge.
“He commanded so much respect from the players who would dearly have loved to have delivered an All Ireland to him.
Seamus Callanan and Eamon O'Shea following Tipp's All-Ireland semi-final defeat. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
"When they were successful in playing the 'beautiful game' he coached, it was a joy to watch.
"I find it very frustrating trying to fathom why it failed to happen for him as he deserved success."
The Red Hands were accused of cynicism and gamesmanship after the game, with their manager Feargal Logan refused access to the Tipperary dressing room.
"These incidents left a very sour taste in the mouths of Tipperary people present," Floyd reflects.
"The heroic performance of this Tipperary U21 Football team was lost in the controversy that raged in the week following this game.
"Our three senior games against Northern opposition (Armagh and Fermanagh in the League, Tyrone in the championship) and this U21 final, has definitely taught us a harsh lesson on how we must prepare for these games."
Seamus Callanan case 'showed up glaring inconsistencies in GAA disciplinary system'
TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD secretary Tim Floyd has been discussing Seamus Callanan’s sending-off against Offaly from this year’s Allianz Hurling League quarter-final in his report to annual convention.
Floyd believes that the Callanan case, which led to a “bizarre series of hearings”, showed up “glaring inconsistencies in the GAA disciplinary system.”
Callanan was shown a red card against the Faithful County but was later cleared to play in the semi-final against Waterford.
After their case was dismissed at Central Hearings Committee (CHC) level, Floyd reveals that Tipp decided to take the matter all the way when it was discussed at a training camp in Spain.
“We had to make every effort to see justice done and so on return we appealed to the Central Appeals Committee which is the final level of appeal before going to the DRA.
“We got a very fair hearing from Central Appeal under the chairmanship of Matt Shaw and there was no legal argument being put up this time against our case.
“Our efforts were justified as we were verbally informed on the night that our appeal was upheld.
“The written verdict later confirmed that and stated that ‘whilst the Referee’ report is presumed to be correct on matters of fact Central Hearing Committee had, in failing to accept video evidence as compelling evidence, made a decision of fact which in the view of the Central Appeals has been shown to be manifestly incorrect.’
“They also added that ‘the Central Hearing Committee infringed a rule in finding that the infraction ‘striking with minimal force’ was more likely to have occurred than not to have occurred because in the view of the Central Appeals no Hearings Committee acting reasonably could have come to this view.’
“To me, this was a conflicting difference of opinion by two committees dealing with discipline and fully justified our efforts in proving that the original sending off was a miscarriage of justice.
“With just over 48 hours to spare Seamus Callanan was cleared to play against Waterford in the League semi-final.
“Tipp, playing below form, lost to the Decies side by one point.
Floyd has also written about Tipperary’s All-Ireland semi-final exit to Galway, indicating that the Tribesmen’s display “came like a bolt out of the blue and showed up many inadequacies which left us very vulnerable.
“It was bitter disappointment for Eamon O’Shea who bowed out after his three years in charge.
“He commanded so much respect from the players who would dearly have loved to have delivered an All Ireland to him.
"When they were successful in playing the 'beautiful game' he coached, it was a joy to watch.
"I find it very frustrating trying to fathom why it failed to happen for him as he deserved success."
Floyd also refers to Tipp's controversial All-Ireland U21 football final defeat against Tyrone.
The Red Hands were accused of cynicism and gamesmanship after the game, with their manager Feargal Logan refused access to the Tipperary dressing room.
"These incidents left a very sour taste in the mouths of Tipperary people present," Floyd reflects.
"The heroic performance of this Tipperary U21 Football team was lost in the controversy that raged in the week following this game.
"Our three senior games against Northern opposition (Armagh and Fermanagh in the League, Tyrone in the championship) and this U21 final, has definitely taught us a harsh lesson on how we must prepare for these games."
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GAA Hurling Séamus Callanan Speaking out Tipperary Tim Floyd