Dublin forward Diarmuid Connolly has been cleared to play in this evening's All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo after sensationally winning a late DRA appeal.
Connolly was sent-off for striking Mayo’s Lee Keegan towards the end of 2-12 to 1-15 draw at Croke Park last Sunday and received an automatic one-match ban.
On Wednesday, the 28-year-old failed in his bid to have the Central Hearings Committee rescind his suspension. Connolly then took his case to the GAA's Central Appeals Committee, which after hours of deliberation, also rejected his appeal.
The final step in the GAA disciplinary structure is the independent Disputes Resolution Authority, and this morning it decided that Connolly would have his one-match ban rescinded, leaving him free to play this evening.
Four years ago, the St Vincent's clubman was dismissed at the semi-final stage in the Dubs' win over Donegal, but was subsequently cleared to play in the All-Ireland final as Dublin went on to record a dramatic one-point victory over Kerry.
In a statement on its website, the GAA said Connolly's hearing took place last night at the Regency Hotel Airport in Dublin.
The DRA panel was chaired by former Supreme Court judge Hugh O'Flaherty, along with solicitors David Nohilly and Brian Rennick.
It said: "The panel's decision related to lack of fair procedure afforded to Mr Connolly at an early stage in the GAA's internal disciplinary process, which unfairly hindered the preparations for, and presentation of, his defence. Mr Connolly was thus free to play in the replay."
The GAA said a full written explanation of the judgment would be issued within the next two weeks.
Its disciplinary procedures have come under the spotlight in recent years after a number of high-profile bans were overturned.
Last year, Keegan himself was sent-off in the drawn semi-final against Kerry, but had his ban overturned so he could play in the replay.
However, speaking on RTÉ Radio, GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail defended the the association's disciplinary process.
"Some people say our systems are fair, some say they are too fair, some say that they are unfair. Our system mirrors the justice system," he told Damien O’Reilly on RTÉ’s Countrywide.
"We have a referee that makes the decision on the day. We have what we call a Competitions Control Committee. They look at the evidence and they apportion a penalty based on the rule book.
"Most players and most members accept the penalty at this stage, but if the player seeks a hearing then they have a hearing. A hearing is actually like it says – it is like a court.
"They look at the evidence on all sides – both sides are represented – and again quite a majority of people who seek a hearing accept the decision of the hearing.
"But in the interests of fairness and being fair to everyone, there is that further level that people can then appeal again. Not many get to that stage, some do, and they have an opportunity to appeal.
"In the case you mentioned, we also have a Disputes Resolution Authority, which is completely independent of the GAA. It’s a legal body and we don’t have that many getting to that level. This case did and that’s what happened."
Croke Park is once again a complete sell-out for the game at 5pm - live on RTE2 and RTE Player.
BREAKING NEWS: Diarmuid Connolly appeal to the DRA successful. He's clear to line out v @MayoGAA tomorrow. #UpTheDubs
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 5, 2015
Statement on DRA, Connolly v CHC and CAC: http://t.co/TqF9pg2It0
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2015
