FERMANAGH forward Sean Quigley was hit with a one-match suspension by the GAA after he turned off the lights during a tunnel fracas at half-time in the Ernemen’s clash with Armagh on February 27, The Irish News understands.
The Competitions Controls Committee informed the Fermanagh County Board last Tuesday that Quigley had been cited after reviewing video footage from the Division Two game at the Athletic Grounds, which was broadcast live on Setanta Sports.
A spokesman declined to confirm what offence Quigley had been charged with, although it may have been deemed ‘disruptive conduct’ [rule 7.2(d)(3)]. Erne boss Pete McGrath said the county decided not to appeal against the one-match suspension, preferring instead to focus on the weekend game against Laois, which Fermanagh won by 10 points.
“It was based on video evidence, and it was a guillotine decision by them,” he said.
“What do you do? You hear about this on a Tuesday, and you’ve a match on a Sunday – there aren’t very many mechanisms to call in to defend the player to deal with it.
“So we decided, look, let’s not get embroiled in anything here, let’s move on towards this game. Sean didn’t even suggest that we appeal it.”
McGrath was less philosophical about the €5,000 fine handed out to both the Ernemen and Armagh in light of the incident in the tunnel.
The Fermanagh boss confirmed an appeal has been lodged with Croke Park, and is expected to be heard within the next seven to 10 days.
McGrath said: “I think maybe the fine is a bit drastic and maybe a bit Draconian.
“Fermanagh is a small county, struggling to make ends meet, and they just lash a €5,000 fine on the county. But it’s being appealed so let’s see what happens.”
Asked about the tunnel incident, he added: “I was in semi-late to the tunnel and there was pushing and shoving and verbals, but I couldn’t see anyone punching or trying to punch. People were so congested that you couldn’t have got a punch in even if you’d wanted to get a punch in.”
An Armagh official said the county wouldn’t discuss disciplinary matters in public.
