Jennings had his appeal for a 12-week ban dismissed

Leinster's Shane Jennings has had his appeal against a 12-week ban dismissed by an Independent Committee in Dublin on Thursday.

The Ireland flanker was banned for making contact with the eye area of London Irish lock Nick Kennedy during the Heineken Cup game on 9 October.

The ban means that Jennings will be out of action until 6 January.

He will miss three Heineken Cup games, five Magners League matches as well as the Ireland's three autumn Tests.

First up, Jennings is ruled out of this weekend's Magners League derby against Ulster at Ravenhill.

The Independent Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan (England) and also comprised of Scotland's Rod McKenzie and Jean-Noel Couraud of France.

The Committee felt that he had not demonstrated that the original decision had been in error, or that it should be overturned or varied.

"Accordingly, the Appeal Committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension imposed on the players of 12 weeks," said an ERC statement.

The original disciplinary hearing's independent judicial officer Roger Morris ruled that Jennings had been "guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship in contravention of Law 10.4".

Jennings' foul play was judged to be in the "low-end in the level of seriousness for an offence of this type" but the sanction for such a penalty still remains 12 weeks.

Commenting on the ERC's decision, Leinster coach Michael Cheika said Leinster Rugby was "mystified by the decision and the whole process because we still maintain that Shane wasn't guilty of anything".

"Unfortunately the Disciplinary Officer wanted to pursue the matter even though there was verbal and written testimony from the London Irish player saying that he "over-reacted".

"We are at a loss to understand why this decision has been made.

"We're more concerned at this stage with the player as both his career and his reputation have now been tarnished.

"We will be standing by Shane during this difficult time and I know that he will emerge stronger from this disappointing judgement," said Cheika.

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