Steven McDonnell Suspended?

[AFS]

Can anyone definitively clarify the availability of McDonnell for our first Championship match this summer?

As we all know, he received a straight red in the closing stages of last year's qualifier against Monaghan. Since then I've heard conflicting reports about where this leaves him for the Derry game.

Some have stated that since it's a new year and effectively a new competition, the slate is wiped clean. While others think that the suspension carries over and that he has to automatically sit out his next Championship match. There is also a third train of thought, which suggests that he will be suspended for his next qualifier game.

Of these, the second option seems most likely to me. I'm thinking back to Marsden in 2004 here when he had to get his red card overturned from the AI final to line out the following May. Perhaps the rules have changed since then though.

[Bainisteoir]

I got confirmation from the Ulster Council.

He is available as that suspension would end at the end of the 2009 competition year

http://www.armaghgaa.net/forum/showp...20&postcount=5

[Rma13]

AFS, you scared the hell out of me with the title of this thread!!!!! I thought something had happened preventing Stevie from playing on Saturday night, I have to say I was relieved when I actually read the post

[AFS]

I got confirmation from the Ulster Council.

He is available as that suspension would end at the end of the 2009 competition year

http://www.armaghgaa.net/forum/showp...20&postcount=5

It seems this is correct. Got off my arse and did a bit of research:

In the GAA rule book under section 7.2 b it states:

(b) Misconduct at Games by Players, which consists of
five Categories of Infractions which occur on or in
the vicinity of the Field of Play, and which occur
immediately before, during or after a Game:

Category III (Assuming this is what McDonnell was done for)
Striking with hurley, either with force or causing
injury; Attempting to strike with hurley, with
force; Kicking, either with force or causing injury;
Attempting to Kick, with force; Stamping; Striking
or attempting to strike with the head; Inflicting
injury recklessly by means other than those stated
above; Any type of assault on an opposing Team
official.

Penalty:
(i) minimum: 8 weeks Suspension in the same
Code and at the same Level, inclusive of the
next Game in the same Competition of that
Competition Year, even if that Game falls
outside the Suspension time.

Happy days!

[Bainisteoir]

you not believe me

Someone had mentioned it at the start of the year so I contacted the Ulster Council who kindly confirmed what I had presumed.

[AFS]

Can never be too sure on such an important matter