Brennan returns from 12-week ban as Dublin eliminate Cavan; Tyrone edge Mayo in All-Ireland SFC
Ger Brennan returned from a 12-week suspension to oversee Dublin's All-Ireland SFC Round 2B victory over Cavan, while Tyrone edged Mayo to reach the quarter-finals.
Brennan returns after ban
Dublin manager Ger Brennan was back on the sideline at Kingspan Breffni Park after his 12-week suspension expired on Saturday night. The ban stemmed from an altercation with Galway's strength and conditioning coach during a league match in late March. Brennan missed four championship games, with Dean Rock acting as interim.
He apologised, I accepted it. We move on and concentrate on the football from here on in.
The former Dublin captain revealed GAA President Jarlath Burns rang him last week with a sincere apology. A controversy had flared after Donegal boss Jim McGuinness avoided sanction for a similar incident, and Burns had described comparisons as "irrational" on RTÉ Radio 1. Brennan, through his solicitor, called the comment insulting. On Sunday he was focused only on football.
Dublin overpower Cavan
Dublin pulled away after a tight first half to win 1-24 to 0-16 according to one report, 0-17 according to another. Con O'Callaghan converted a 67th-minute penalty, bringing his personal tally to 1-9. At the break Dublin led by a single point, 0-13 to 0-12, before outscoring the hosts 1-11 to 0-05 in the second half.
The victory was tempered by injuries to Cormac Costello (leg) and Brian Howard. Colm Basquel and Ross McGarry combined for 0-5 off the bench, and Evan Comerford impressed on his return in goal. Cavan, for whom P. Lynch scored 0-5, saw their season end after missing a string of chances in the second half.
A saga resolved
- Altercation with Galway S&C coach during league match
- Jim McGuinness escapes sanction for similar incident, sparking comparisons
- GAA President Burns calls comparisons 'irrational' on RTÉ Radio 1
- Brennan issues solicitor statement calling the suggestion 'insulting'
- Burns calls Brennan to apologise; Brennan accepts
- 12-week ban expires
- Brennan returns to sideline; Dublin beat Cavan 1-24 to 0-16/0-17
Tyrone squeeze past Mayo
In the earlier Round 2B game, Niall Morgan was the hero as Tyrone edged Mayo in a tight contest. The sides were tied seven times in the opening half alone, with Enda Hession and Ronan Cassidy leading the scoring. Mayo had a goal chance through Jordan Flynn saved by Morgan, and Tyrone kicked six first-half wides. The teams were level at eight points apiece at half-time. Tyrone eventually did enough to join Louth, Cork and Galway in the quarter-finals; Mayo face a Round 3 tie next weekend. No final score was available in the match report.
