Speaking yesterday at the launch of the Allianz Hurling League, Cooney reckoned that the CHC have made the correction decision.

"Based on the evidence presented to them in their review of the case, they made a decision that they felt was appropriate," he said.

"We have to get rid of so-called melees or major situations when all the players are getting involved in major fracases during games.

"We're sending out the wrong message and the wrong signal and it's bad for the image of the Association, so I think they've taken a course of action and I support fully the course of action that they've taken.

"People have a right if they feel they're hard done by. Players and counties have a right to do that. Of course, we'd like people to accept the punishment they get or is outlined for them, but they have a right to do it and a right to go to hearings and I respect that fully."

When pressed if Monaghan as the home team were being punished more than their opponents, Cooney stated the Lilywhites, who have been hit with a €5,000 fine, are also going down the appeals route.

"All I understand is that Kildare have looked for a hearing and that hearing hasn't taken place," he explained.

"I'm not too sure where Cork or Armagh are and have they looked for a hearing or not. The hearing that Kildare want hasn't been heard and they're dealing with them all in cases.

"Hearings actually make the decision with regards to suspension. Hearings don't know the (CCCC-proposed) punishment or they're not supposed to know the punishment so they hear the case. They come and fight their case and then hearings make a decision with regards to the punishment."

Asked if the CHC and Central Competitions Control Committee were simply making two different decisions, Cooney stated that the only body with the right to make a decision on appeals is the CHC.

"The only body that makes a decision is hearings. Hearings make the decision. What the CCCC do is say to the county or individuals, 'This is what your punishment is likely to be. Are you prepared to...accept that and move on?'," he added.

"They don't have to do that. They have a right to go to hearings and have their case heard and then for hearings to make a decision on what they consider is the most appropriate punishment. That's what happens. Hearings make decisions, not the CCCC."

On the subject of the Interprovincial Championships, which drew a combined attendance of around 4,000 spectators for last Sunday afternoon's semi-finals, Cooney says he is not surprised by the poor crowds.

"My understanding is there were 300-500 people in Parnell Park, 1,000 in Nowlan Park, a very poor crowd in Sligo. Am I surprised? No. I didn't see a great many people from Munster travelling up to Parnell Park, to be honest with you.

"I thought there would be a better crowd in Sligo, because it's close enough to Ulster. I'd expect a decent crowd in...I think the football final is in Armagh. I expect a decent crowd. I don't think you'll that many from Munster to travel to Armagh for an interprovincial but let's wait and see.

"It got a lot of publicity last week. The provinces did a lot around it, there were three launches, Sunday was a good day weather-wise. I wasn't at any of the games because I was here (at Croke Park) with the vice president of China.

"I don't know how intense the games were or how competitive the games were. We said we'd review them after this year and see where it goes.

"The counties made a commitment that they'd run it for another year. Let's evaluate it at the end of that and decide whether it should continue or not.

"I'm not going to make a judgement now in the middle of the process. We've two finals coming up and we'll hear from the provinces and how it went for them."