O'Brien handed ten-game ban as Tullow forced to play behind closed doors
Sean O'Brien has been hit with a ten-game ban from duties with his club Tullow following an incident in a womens AIL match last season Photo: ©INPHO/Evan Treacy
Tullow Rugby Club have been ordered to play their Leinster League Division 1A game behind closed doors on Saturday. Their ladies team, who play in the All-Ireland League (AIL), have also been similarly sanctioned and will play two of their home games behind closed doors.
Leinster skills coach and Tullow legend, Sean O’Brien, was also handed down a 10-match ban for “abuse of a match official” in a separate, unrelated incident in the same match between Cooke RFC and Tullow on March 21.
O’Brien’s suspension only applies to club games and does not impact on his work with the province.
The punishments were handed out last season with a source in the club explaining that “it was down to referee abuse in a ladies match”.
Tullow did appeal but it was turned down. The IRFU also found out that inappropriate comments had been made toward a Cooke player in the same game.
The sanction had only come to light when the club posted the story on Facebook over the weekend. President, Noel Nolan, name was listed as a signatory. Part of the punishment for the club ruled that they had to go public on the matter themselves.
The seconds game between Tullow and Wicklow, which was due to be played earlier in the day will have to end at least an hour before the firsts game to give teams and mentors time to leave the ground.
After the firsts game ends, there will be a two-hour embargo before anyone is allowed back into the club house or the grounds. While the visitors, Wicklow, are not involved their supporters are forbidden from attending both games.
At the time of writing it is unclear whether the media will be allowed into the grounds to report on the game, Nolan has promised get clarification on this.
"Following a recent disciplinary sanction imposed on Tullow RFC by the I.R.F.U, we are required to play our men’s Leinster League game vs Wicklow RFC next Saturday 19th September without spectators and with only essential persons in attendance.
This means that the only people permitted to attend the match are players, match officials, officers of the club, coaches and medical and physio attendees, in addition to those directly involved in the running of the match i.e. ground staff.
This applies to the travelling opposition also and we ask that you communicate these restrictions to your club membership, players and coaching teams.
The “Behind Closed Doors” restrictions apply to the whole club grounds, not just the pitch.
No supporters will be permitted to access the club grounds for this fixture."
We regret the inconvenience this may cause to our loyal supporters.
Yours in rugby, Noel Nolan President, Tullow R.F.C.
