'Unduly heavy burden' - Dublin boss Brennan's 12-week ban upheld
Brennan (left) and Breathnach McGinn were both sent off by referee Fergal Kelly
- Published
Dublin boss Ger Brennan will be absent from the sidelines for the county's Leinster SFC campaign after his 12-week suspension was upheld by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
Brennan was issued a ban for an altercation with Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn - who was banned for eight weeks - during Dublin's relegation-confirming Division One defeat by the Tribesmen in Salthill on 22 March.
Having had an appeal knocked back by the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and Central Appeals Committe (CAC), Brennan's final attempt to have the ban overturned was turned down after a five-hour DRA hearing on Saturday morning.
Dublin GAA, who said Dean Rock will continue to deputise for Brennan, described the severity of the sanction as an "unduly heavy burden".
"While we are disappointed at the outcome of the case, we will await the written judgement with interest and give due examination and consideration to changes required to improve the fairness and proportionality of our disciplinary system within our association," read Dublin GAA's statement.
"Ger Brennan did - at all times - accept that he should receive some sanction for last month's incident.
"However, the weight of the penalty imposed on a volunteer member is an unduly heavy burden."
Dublin begin their Leinster SFC campaign against Wicklow in Aughrim on Sunday (15:00 BST).
