Donegal captain Michael Murphy’s appeal against his sending-off in last Sunday’s Ulster SFC win over Cavan will be heard in Croke Park this evening.
The Glenswilly man was controversially handed a straight red card and as it stands, will be banned for the Ulster semi-final against Tyrone on Sunday week.
The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee will hear Murphy’s appeal.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has insisted that Murphy should be cleared of the offence but have admitted that his chances of being exonerated may be no better than “50/50”.
The Donegal County board confirmed on today that it had seen a copy of referee Marty Duffy’s report and that an appeal was being launched.
Donegal assistant boss Rory Gallagher spoke of his conviction that Murphy had been incorrectly dismissed.
“We don’t even need to see the video,” Gallagher said.
“He didn’t strike anybody. We’ll be going to the CCCC.”
The general consensus appeared to be that Donegal skipper Murphy had been harshly dealt with by Sligo referee Duffy.
Murphy appeared to indulge in some off-the-ball shoulder to shoulder stuff with Damien Reilly before the Cavan defender ended up on the floor.
Although the team battled well against Cavan and were deserved winner even without Murphy, the DCU student will be a huge loss against Tyrone if the CCCC rule against the appeal.
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