Brennan seeks to 'correct matters' over 12-week ban

The solicitor of Dublin boss Ger Brennan says his client has concerns "a consistent and equitable approach is unfortunately not being applied to every team, player and manager" following his ban and wishes to "correct certain matters now brought into the public domain".

Brennan has missed all of his side's championship fixtures due to a well-documented 12-week suspension after being shown a red card in the National League defeat by Galway in March for an altercation with Tribesmen's strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn.

On Tuesday, GAA president Jarlath Burns said the 12-week ban handed down to Brennan was a direct result of the red card and was like "comparing apples to oranges" when asked why Donegal manager Jim McGuinness hadn't suffered a similar fate despite appearing to shove Kerry midfielder Diarmuid O'Connor during his side's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship win in Killarney on 23 May.

Burns insisted it was a different scenario as McGuinness hadn't been shown a card by referee Sean Hurson.

However, Brennan's solicitor Conor Sally says that while his client "never had a wish to publicise his case" and "accepted wrongdoing, apologised for his actions and suggested the appropriate infraction was 'disruptive conduct'", he now "feels compelled" to outline his side following Burns' comments.

Brennan maintains his incident involved a member of the opposition's backroom team [Breathnach McGinn] who "was not listed as a team official on the team official's list, as required under CCCC [Central Competitions Control Committee] match regulations", and therefore did not meet the charge of 'physical interference with an opposing player or team official' as he was not part of the match day list.

"Mr Burns has now sought to infer that my client's infraction was "different" in that it he received a red card and has referred to the referees' report as "sacrosanct" - meaning that it is 'untouchable' and 'not open to criticism or challenge'," read the statement.

"However, rather than process the red card in the normal manner, the CCCC [Central Competitions Control Committee], in advance of their following meeting, sought to seek clarification as 'the pitch invader' was not listed as a team official on the team official's list, as required under CCCC match regulations.

"The Galway team official list differed from the referee's report, and it was therefore reasonably argued throughout the process that a lesser infraction was more appropriate given the clear inconsistency."

It continued: "My client considers the description of "irrational" in respect of comparisons with his case and another incident in another game as insulting to those holding that widely held view.

"Moreover, he is further concerned that the Uachtaran (GAA president) stated that "its more embarrassing for the CCCC to lose a case" brought by it at hearing, appeal, or DRA. Natural justice of course dictates that justice ought to be done and no CCC should ever be 'embarrassed' at an infraction brought not being proven.

"Indeed, the GAA's own disciplinary handbook at page 16 states "…the process is about getting the right answer, not "winning" or "losing"."

Dublin are back in action on Sunday, 14 June when they travel to face Cavan in Round 2B of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, which will allow Brennan to return to the sideline, but his solicitor insists that it is far from the end of the punishment.

"It was also intimated that if Dublin are fixed to play next Sunday, as opposed to Saturday that my client's suspension "will be over"," he continued.

"Again, this is not the case. Following the 12-week draconian ban wherein my client will have been suspended for either four and a half, or five and a half games, depending on when the CCCC schedule Dublin's next game, Mr Brennan remains further suspended for 30% of the NFL in 2027.

"Others can and will no doubt judge if this is fair, proportionate or balanced in the context of how the CCCC process all alleged infractions. My client is most concerned, that in his view, a consistent and equitable approach is unfortunately not being applied to every team, player and manager by the CCCC, in dealing with disciplinary matters arising."

While Brennan has been "heartened" by suggestions the GAA's Ard Comhairle (Central Council) may consider a motion for next year's GAA Congress to consider the penalty for the infraction Brennan was punished, that will come too late for the Dublin boss who has invited the GAA to "set the record straight".

"My client is a committed GAA volunteer and has never sought any media attention since his infraction over 10 weeks ago.

"As a result of his suspension, his family have suffered, his son's underage team have been a coach short, the Dublin senior football team have been severely prejudiced, and he himself has been personally affected. He feels disenfranchised, undervalued and a lack of belonging to the Association given the events of the past three months.

"These views were indeed conveyed privately by email to Uachtarán, Ard-stiúrthóir and the CCCC, in advance of yesterday's public comments. Indeed, Ard-stiúrthóir Tom Ryan had subsequently provided a positive private written response to Mr Brennan."