Tullamore player faces 96-week ban for referee push

A Tullamore player is facing a proposed 96-week ban for pushing a referee to the ground, RTÉ Sport understands.

Barry Tiernan was knocked to the ground after officiating Tullamore's 1-07 to 1-09 defeat to Summerhill in a AIB Leinster Club SFC meeting 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.

Tullamore are contemplating requesting a hearing and the case could be taken to the Disputes Resolution Authority.

A 48-week ban has also been proposed for a Tullamore official who approached the linesman at the end of the game.

"I saw it myself and I can't deny it, a disgraceful incident," Offaly chairman Michael Duignan told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport at the time.

"There was a bit of controversy at the end where the referee awarded a penalty and then it was overruled and obviously the players were frustrated and they were remonstrating.

"But there was no danger, the players were well away from the ref coming off the field. The Tullamore team are a very sporting team, just disappointed, which you would be.

"But somebody came in from the terrace then and pushed the referee from behind so it was terrible. It's a very, very tough job and I would have had my arguments over the years with refs but you wouldn't dream about laying a finger on a referee.

"So