Boost for Cork as Shane Barrett earns suspension reprieve

While Cork will be without Shane Barrett for Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1A fixture against Kilkenny, that will be the extent of the Blarney man’s enforced absence.

Barrett, along with Tipperary’s Jason Forde, was sent off by referee Liam Gordon during the league game between the counties at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh a fortnight ago, under the Category III offence of contributing to a melee.

In the case of Barrett, as the incident was in the 48-week window since his red card against Clare in the Munster SHC game at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis on April 27 last year, it was thought that he would face a doubled suspension.

This was confirmed by the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee on Friday, but it has since emerged that the interpretation of the association’s Official Guide was mistaken.

Instead, it is believed that such suspensions are dealt with by treating the league and championship as a combination, a repeat infraction must be in the same calendar year as the original offence in order for the extra punishment to apply.

It means that Barrett will serve his one-game ban when Cork go to UPMC Nowlan Park next Sunday, but he will be available again for the trip to face Limerick a week later.