The GAA’s official explanation for why Diarmuid Connolly is free to play Mayo today

Make of this what you will.

The GAA have released a statement regarding the hearing of the Disputes Resolution Authority last night which cleared Diarmuid Connolly to play against Mayo in today’s All-Ireland semi-final replay. Connolly learned that he was available to face Mayo in the early hours of this morning and in the wake of a massive reaction to the news this morning, the GAA have sought to clarify the reasons behind him being made available to play. Here’s what they had to say on the matter; a full reflection on the DRA hearing will be available on the DRA website within two weeks. “At a hearing on 4 September at the Regency Hotel Airport in Dublin, a DRA Panel chaired by former Supreme Court judge Hugh O'Flaherty (with solicitors David Nohilly and Brian Rennick) upheld a claim by Diarmuid Connolly against a one match ban arising out of an infraction during the drawn Mayo v Dublin All-Ireland semi-final of Sunday, August 30. “The Panel's decision related to lack of fair procedure afforded to Mr. Connolly at an early stage in the GAA's internal disciplinary process which unfairly hindered the preparations for, and presentation of, his defence. Mr Connolly was thus free to play in the replay of the above match on 5 September. “This statement is for informational purposes only. A full, written award reflective of the hearing as a whole, will be issued by the above DRA Panel within two weeks and will be published on sportsdra.ie.”