Former Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) secretary Jack Anderson says that Waterford star Tadhg de Búrca ‘must surely have a good chance’ of being cleared to play in the All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final with Cork tomorrow week.
Waterford sources indicate that they will go all the way with de Búrca’s case, and request a DRA hearing as soon as possible. The influential defender was sent off against Wexford in the All-Ireland quarter-final for interfering with Harry Kehoe’s headgear. The offence carries a one-match ban.
De Búrca was unsuccessful at Central Hearings Committee (CHC) and Central Appeals Committee (CAC) levels this week.
Anderson tweeted: “Admit to bias (wife and in-laws are blaas and maybe clouding judgement but Tadhg de B must surely have a good chance at DRA? Was TdB deliberately dangerous? If so, wouldn’t video be conclusive and compelling as to intent? Is it? (NB my blaa bias). De Búrca at DRA: helmet rule not strict liability; must be deliberate; is video compelling enough to override ref’s report?”
Waterford will hope that de Búrca can escape because he was cited for a category III (iv) infraction, specifically ‘behaving in any way which is dangerous to an opponent, including deliberately pulling on or taking hold of a faceguard or any part of an opponent’s helmet (in hurling).’