Yesterday, news emerged that All Ireland semi-final referee, Brian Gavin, had been handed down a one month ban by the Offaly County Board Competitions Control Committee. The ban came after a report by referee Pauric Pierce stated that Gavin had made an abusive comment during Clara's Junior football championship quarter-final defeat to Kilclonfert.
Gavin, who is chairman of the Clara club, appealed the one month suspension and it had been thought that the appeal would not be heard until next month. However, after a request from the GAA, the hearing was brought forward to last night and it has been confirmed that Gavin's ban has now been overturned.
The decision to overturn the ban frees Gavin up to officiate this weekend's All Ireland hurling semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford. It also leaves him in the frame for selection for the All Ireland final.
