Proposed ban on Tullamore member reduced to 24 weeks

The Tullamore GAA member who pushed referee Barry Tiernan in the back following the recent Leinster SFC club tie against Summerhill has had his proposed ban reduced from 96 to 24 weeks.

Following a meeting of the Leinster Council's hearings committee on Thursday evening, a decision was made, based on extenuating issues, to significantly reduce the ban.

The Leinster Competitions Control Committee had recommended the initial ban but then a number of factors were presented before the gathering on Thursday.

The suspension came about when Tiernan was knocked to the ground after officiating Tullamore's defeat to Summerhill at O'Connor Park on 22 October.

At the end of the game, Tiernan was approached by a number of supporters, before being pushed by someone who has been identified as a Tullamore player, who hadn't played on the day.

The incident occurred after Tullamore were awarded a close-range free late in the game, before Tiernan upgraded the decision to a penalty after consultation with the umpires.

Then, having discussed with his linesman, Tiernan overturned the decision again, before John Furlong's free was eventually blocked in a crowded goalmouth.

A proposed 48-week ban for another Tullamore member for his behaviour towards a linesman on the day in question has been reduced to 12 weeks.