Offaly hurling star loses appeal against controversial red card

EMERGING Offaly senior hurling star James Mahon has lost his appeal against a controversial red card.

The Kilcormac-Killoughey defender was sent off in the first half of last Saturday's National Hurling League Division 1B defeat by Waterford. He was given red by referee Johnny Murphy after hitting Waterford's Gavin Fives with a hefty shoulder in the 24^th minute.

Mahon's unsuccessful appeal means that he will miss the league final renewal with Waterford on Sunday week.

While Mahon's red card was a big call and it was harsh as he didn't make contact with the head, it was always going to be very difficult to get it over turned and Offaly would have had to prove conclusively that the referee had got it wrong, which they were unable to do.

The defender was reported for dangerous play and the Croke Park Hearings Committee adapted the referee's report at a meeting on Thursday evening. While a yellow would have been sufficient for the challenge, experienced observers knew it was a long shot that Mahon would get off as dangerous play is fairly wide embracing, covers a multitude and leaves room for interpretation with incidents.

Mahon and young Offaly hurlers are facing into a hectic few weeks. Offaly begin the defence of their Leinster and All-Ireland U20 hurling titles with a trip to Ballinasloe to play Galway on Saturday week, the day before the league final in Cork.

SEE NEXT:

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/gaa/1761788/croke-park-performance-important-but-championship-now-the-only-game-in-town-for-offaly-footballers.html

With the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship imminent, Mahon and the young players on both squads will be tested fully. The U20s are already facing serious injury worries. Adam Screeney hasn't played yet this year with a groin injury while speech merchant Ter Guinan has had another hamstring injury – he played almost the full game in Waterford and pulled up in training this week. He has had a lay off with a hamstring injury already and they can take time to heal, meaning that there are now doubts about his county season.

Shane Rigney and Daniel Hand are also on the injured list but Offaly are in a tier one group with Galway and Laois with every team qualifying, irrespective of results. It means that Offaly won't play knockout hurling until April 23 at the earliest and it will be later if they finish second or first in the group, giving injuries time – but a several of the U20s will be playing for Offaly in the Leinster SHC, which begins on April19 away to Dublin.

That will be the start of a gruelling few weeks for players playing both grades and the County Board have already made it clear that their priority this year is staying up in the top flight at senior level – though there is also a great opportunity to retain their U20 crowns.