Rangers unlikely to appeal against "disgraceful" Fitzpatrick ban

MOUNT Leinster Rangers Chairman, John Coleman, branded the treatment of Fiachra Fitzpatrick and the decision to hand the player a three-month suspension from all GAA activity as “disgraceful”. He also revealed the club have all but decided not to appeal the ban. There were further considerations over the weekend but that now seems unlikely. 

Coleman does admit their intercounty player did get involved with a Bagenalstown Gaels player in their fourth-round match in Netwatch Cullen Park on 13 July but that it was only slight.

Along with Chris Nolan, Fitzpatrick had come home from America earlier in the week and both players were not available for the final two group games. Fitzpatrick assumed the role of water-boy on the far side of the pitch from the stand. After a number of scuffles had broken out, the Rangers dual player came on to the field. According to the club there is video evidence which shows their player getting involved. They claim that if Fitzpatrick had been playing and the same thing arose he would not even have received a yellow card but sanctions are far more severe for those acting as mentors.

Coleman and family members point out that Fitzpatrick has played underage club and intercounty football and hurling the whole way up. They cannot recall him ever have been yellow carded and certainly has never been sent off.

When considering whether they would appeal, Rangers have looked at the wording of the referee’s report and the wording of what rule the player was alleged to have broken. They admit they are very much the same and as a result they concede they are unlikely to win at Hearings.

Fitzpatrick is also going to miss out on the football championship which starts up immediately after the hurling season ends on 11 August.