THE Cork County Board have lodged an appeal with Croke Park regarding the one-match suspension handed out to senior hurling captain Seamus Harnedy as a result of his dismissal against Tipperary in the recent national league encounter.

The understanding was that he would miss Cork’s next game which was against Kilkenny last Saturday in Nowlan Park and subsequently be available for the Munster Championship opener with Tipperary in May.

However, the CCCC in Croke Park ruled otherwise, stating that the game against Kilkenny had a different status and wasn’t a league encounter as such, just a game to determine the groups that both counties would feature in next season in a restructured competition.

Kilkenny were in the same boat after Conor Delaney had been dismissed against Wexford the same weekend and they too believed he would miss the Cork game and be available for the Leinster championship opener.

Both players were then ruled eligible for the Nowlan Park clash and out of their counties opening championship clashes.

Neither played and Cork’s appeal on Harnedy is expected to be heard shortly while it’s likely that Kilkenny will appeal Delany’s ban too.

There are a number of avenues open to Cork in the appeals process, ending with a final appeal to the DRA, Disputes Resolution Authority, an independent body outside the GAA.

Harnedy’s absence for the Munster championship opener would be a huge blow to John Meyler’s team.

The Cork camp is already worried about the availability of star defender Colm Spillane who missed the entire National League campaign and is considered a doubt for the championship game in May.

He will definitely miss Imokilly’s opening defence of the Cork SHC next week against Carrigdhoun.

There’s better news, however, on another Cork defender, Mark Ellis and he’s likely to feature for Duhallow next week against Muskerry in the SHC.