TYRONE assistant-manager Gavin Devlin could miss the Dr McKenna Cup and the opening rounds of the Red Hand county’s Division One campaign after he was suspended for 24 weeks following an incident which took place at a National U15 Academy Tournament match between Tyrone and Down on July 27.
The Ardboe native was charged with an alleged breach of Rule 7.2 (d): “Disruptive Conduct by a supporter (not causing the Premature Termination of a game)” and requested a hearing on Monday.
At the hearing his offence was deemed to be “proven” and the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee imposed a 24-week ban which will run from the date of the hearing, not the date of his alleged offence.
Devlin has the option of appealing against the decision but if it stands he could be suspended until March 9 which would rule him out of Tyrone’s defence of their Dr McKenna Cup title and the early stages of the National Football League – the 2020 fixtures have yet to be released but in 2019 five rounds had been played by March 3.
An All-Ireland winner at minor, U21 and senior level in 2003 and 2005, Devlin has become an integral part of Mickey Harte’s management team since he linked up with the long-serving Tyrone bainisteoir in 2013.
The Red Hands backroom team will be minus Stephen O’Neill (stepped down) and Peter Donnelly (now working with Ulster Rugby and Monaghan) next year and, despite the recruitment of former Antrim forward Kevin Madden, Devlin’s possible unavailability has come at an inopportune time for Tyrone.
A statement released by the hearing committee yesterday read: “An Lar Choiste Cheannais na gComortaisi (Central Competitions Control Committee) took Disciplinary Action against Gavin Devlin, alleging a breach of Riall 7.2 (d) T.O. Disruptive Conduct by a supporter (not causing the Premature Termination of a game).
“Gavin Devlin requested a hearing which took place on 23.9.2019. An Lar Choiste Cheannais na gComortaisi (Central Competitions Control Committee) found the alleged infraction: Disruptive Conduct by a supporter (not causing the Premature Termination of a game) proven and imposed the following penalty: 24 weeks’ suspension.
“Gavin Devlin has the option of appealing against the decision of An Lar Choiste Eisteachta to An Lar Choiste Achomhairc.”
Devlin has become an increasingly important voice in the Tyrone management team and his input has contributed to a consistent run of form for the Red Hand county who have reached the All-Ireland semi-final stage for the past three seasons.
In 2017, the Red Hands made short work of Down to win the Ulster Championship and then Armagh at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage to progress to a last-four meeting with then three in-a-row chasing Dublin. The Dubs proved too strong on the day and that was the same story last year when the Red Hands progressed to the All-Ireland final. Despite a bright start, the Ulstermen were overhauled at Croke Park and lost the game by six points.
This year Tyrone exited Ulster after losing to Donegal but they found their form in the Qualifiers and had little trouble beating Longford, Kildare and Cavan on their way to the Super 8s. They booked a semi-final spot against Kerry with a game to spare by beating Roscommon and Cork but despite dominating the opening half a Kingdom rally after the break saw them win by three points.
