Referee Brian Gavin banned for one month for comments made to match official during club game

Offaly county board proposing a ban

Well known inter-county referee Brian Gavin, who will take charge of Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford, has been hit with a suspended one-month ban by the Offaly County Board for comments made to a match official during a club game. The referee, who is also the chairman of Clara GAA club, is understood to be seeking a full hearing in front of the Hearings Committee, after the county's Central Competitions Control Committee proposed he receive a one-month ban for comments made to a referee at a junior football game. Gavin was reported by referee Padraig Pierce for remarks he is alleged to have made after a quarter-final where Clara were beaten by Kilconfert. Until Gavin is granted his hearing, where he will appeal the ban, he is free to continue in his role as a referee, as well as chairman of his local club, which means he is free to officiate Sunday's semi-final at Croke Park. The Offaly native took charge of last year's All-Ireland final replay, as well as the 2011 and 2013 deciders. H/T Midland Tribune