History made as Griffin becomes first player to have black card rescinded
By Peter O’ Dwyer
Kerry’s Mark Griffin has become the first player to have a black card rescinded following the decision of the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee.
Full-back Griffin received the card for fouling Mayo’s Alan Freeman during Kerry’s National League clash with Mayo in Castlebar on March 2.
Griffin was adjudged to have hauled Freeman to the ground and was given his marching orders – a decision that forced the Kingdom to see the game out with just 14 men as they had already used all their substitutions.
The home-side went on to record a 2-15 to 1-13 win, although Griffin’s dismissal two minutes from time had little bearing on the result.
Good to see Mark Griffin's black card v Mayo lifted but why not Mick Foley's v Dublin? Ref told by refs committee decision was wrong #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) March 28, 2014
Griffin appealed the decision of referee Ciaran Brannigan on the basis that he didn’t pull the Mayo forward to the deck but rather Freeman went to ground of his own volition.
The committee saw things the same way and rescinded Griffin’s card.
Mick Foley of Kildare was less fortunate in a similar appeal against the black card he received for a challenge on Dublin’s Davy Byrne, with the committee upholding the award of the card.
