Cross' launch second appeal in bid to clear Kernan

Crossmaglen Rangers have launched a second appeal of Stephen Kernan's red card in a bid to have their captain available for the All-Ireland club final against Garrycastle. An appeal against Kernan's sending-off in the All-Ireland semi-final against Dr Crokes has already been rejected by the Central Hearing Committee (CHC). However, the Armagh champions are now appealing to the next arm of the GAA's disciplinary process, the Central Appeals Committee (CAC). A statement, issued by the GAA's Central Hearing Committee late last week, said Stephen Kernan was reported in the referee's report for "striking with the hand" in an incident during the game against Dr Crokes. Kernan requested a hearing as he chose not to accept the penalty proposed by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC). The GAA statement went on: "After considering all the evidence presented by the Defending Party, including video evidence, the CHC decided the Infraction alleged is more likely to have occurred than not to have occurred and imposed the following penalty: four weeks suspension in the same code and at the same level, inclusive of the next game in the same competition of that competition year, even if that game falls outside the suspension time period." However, Crossmaglen manager Tony McEntee is adamant that the red card should be rescinded. "The video evidence shows what happened. It shows that when Stephen released the ball to one of his own players, a Crokes player - in this case, the No.14 - came across late and ran into Stephen's right shoulder," McEntee told the Irish News. "It was Stephen who was hit with a late tackle. There was no retaliation by Stephen. There was no strike but there was a roar from the crowd. When the linesman turned around he saw the Dr Crokes guy on the ground and he assumed that Stephen had struck him. "I spent eight hours with the CHC, from half-seven in the evening to half-three in the morning. In Stephen's case, they appear to be doing their level best to appear strong and to be backing the referee up." Referee David Coldrick issued Kernan with a straight red card in the semi-final, in which Cross' defeated Dr Crokes 3-8 to 2-8. The latest hearing is expected to take place on Thursday night. All-Ireland final tickets Tickets for the All-Ireland club finals on St Patrick's Day will be available to purchase in SuperValu, Monksland, Athlone, and they can also be obtained online (www.gaa.ie). Tickets cost €25 for adults and €5 for juveniles (U-16s), but juvenile tickets are available only for the Cusack Stand. All competing clubs will have the opportunity to purchase adult tickets at a reduced rate of €20. For Garrycastle supporters, tickets will be on sale on Thursday, March 8 from 5pm to 8pm in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. A block of tickets will be reserved for Garrycastle supporters in both the Hogan and Cusack stands. Any tickets purchased outside of this time will be at the standard rate. The club will not be purchasing any tickets for sale to members or supporters. Last week, Garrycastle GHQ was opened in Athlone Towncentre, close to the civic square. It will act as a base for the club during the countdown to the All-Ireland final and supporters can call into the premises to obtain club colours and merchandise.