We're more than 48 hours from Sunday's All-Ireland quarterfinal and still the incredible match between Armagh and Galway, and meleé that followed full-time, dominate conversation around the country. This morning, the Irish Examiner reported that Séan Kelly will likely have his suspension for the All-Ireland semifinal overturned. There is much interest in how the GAA will discipline Tiernan Kelly, who eye-gouged Damien Comer.
Tiernan Kelly has been the subject of extensive online commentary in the aftermath of the game, and finds himself in the eye of a social media storm.
Kelly is a member of the Clann Eireann club, who are reigning Armagh senior champions. This evening the Lurgan club released a strong statement condemning the 'vilification' of Kelly in recent days and asking for people to let the GAA to rule on the matter before 'making judgement'.
Clann Eireann statement on Tiernan Kelly
The statement reads:
As a club, the well-being of our playing members is of the utmost importance to us. As a club, and a family, we will support and protect Tiernan and his family from those who don't know him. The vilification of Tiernan on social media over the last few days has been both unjust and unfair. Tiernan has been, and always will be, a great ambassador for our club. Anyone who knows him, will know the dedication and hard work he puts into both his club and county, along with the time he spends coaching and encouraging our young Gaels. His dedication to the GAA, both on the field and behind the scenes, has been nothing short of amazing. One moment does NOT define a man. The GAA will have its due process regarding the issue. We would ask people to let this process take place before making judgement. #ForwardTogether #healthandwellbeingforall
It's a very welcome contribution to the conversation on the incident. Kelly may forever be associated with the incident but he need not be defined by it.
Speaking yesterday on the Second Captains programme, Armagh great Oisin McConville said that Kelly had reached out to Galway and was 'absolutely devastated' about the incident.
I think his reaction is the right reaction rather than burying his head in the sand so he deserves some sort of credit for that but what he done unfortunately whether it be heat of the moment or not like you said it's indefensible.
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