Offaly star Hyland in the clear as Dunne reported for contributing to a melee

STAR Offaly forward Dylan Hyland is in the clear after being sent off in Sunday's National Football League Division 3 win over Limerick. There was immediate concern when Hyland got what appeared to have been a straight red in injury time, though Offaly officers were told afterwards by the fourth official that it was for a black on top of his first half yellow.

There was still mild anxiety though until the referee's report came through on Monday evening and confirmed that it was for a yellow and black, meaning that he will be available for the April 13 Leinster Senior Football Championship clash with Laois in Portlaoise. A straight red would have ruled him out – veteran Offaly forward Nigel Dunne looks set to miss out on that after being sent off for a straight red in a messy melee in injury time of a dramatic game as Offaly hung on for dear life to win by 1-10 to 0-12.

The one point win secured Division 3 football for next season though Antrim's win over Wicklow in Belfast meant that Offaly would have stayed up even if they had suffered a defeat.

Offaly ended up with thirteen men in injury time as Nigel Dunne got a straight red for his role in that fracas while star forward Dylan Hyland went after seemingly getting a black to go with his first half yellow. Initially, it looked like Hyland had got a straight red but the fourth official told Offaly officers afterwards that he had confirmed with the referee that it was a yellow and a black.

Hyland got his injury time card for a hand trip which was very much a black card offence and it was never a red card one – Nigel Dunne will be suspended for the Laois game unless he can get his red rescinded. Dunne has been reported for contributing to a melee which carries a one match ban for the next game. Offaly will examine the footage of the game to see if there is any case for getting him off – the long serving Shamrocks forward was certainly not the only man to contribute to the late melees but he did have a central role in them and Offaly will take everything into account before seeking a hearing.

Hyland also walked for a yellow and black card in the win over Wicklow and two more cards in a game will result in an automatic one match suspension.