Tyrone boost as Kilpatrick’s two-match ban is lifted

Conn Kilpatrick’s appeal to the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee (CHC) for the two-match suspension he was handed during the week has been successful, with the Tyrone midfielder now available to play a part in Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final against Roscommon.

The suspension was for a sending off against Cork in Tullamore last weekend, which was doubled because it was Kilpatrick’s second red card of the year after he was sent off against Roscommon in the league.

Kilpatrick received a straight red after an off-the-ball altercation against the Rebels was flagged by a linesman.

The Central Competitions Control Committee initially issued the ban under Rule 7.2 (b), Category III, T.O. 2024. That rule category relates to “striking with hand, with minimal force”.

At a personal hearing on Wednesday the CHC found that the infraction was proven.

The CHC imposed the following penalty on repeat infraction: “a two match suspension in the same code and at the same level, applicable to the next games in the combination of National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.”

Kilpatrick, however, had the option to appeal and the CHC cleared the player following a hearing on Friday evening.

Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals, Dublin v Cork (1.15pm) and Clare v Wexford (3.15pm), on Saturday from 12.45pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

Watch the Tailteann Cup semi-finals, Antrim v Laois (2pm) and Down v Sligo (4pm), on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1