Dublin Coach Slams Jarlath Burns' 'Disingenuous' Remarks on Brennan Suspension

While Dublin have always been hugely disappointed with the 12-week suspension handed to manager Ger Brennan earlier this season, the fallout from the incident involving Donegal boss Jim McGuinness in recent weeks has only added to their feeling that they have been harshly treated by the GAA.

McGuinness avoided a ban despite an altercation with Kerry player Diarmuid O'Connor during his side's game in Killarney last month. It was deemed that the incident was dealt with by the officials at the time and no further action was necessary.

That has not gone down well with Dublin, but those involved in the Association feel that the rules were applied correctly. Speaking on Morning Ireland on Monday, GAA President Jarlath Burns suggested that the incidents involving Brennan and McGuinness were not really comparable.

In the second game, the Donegal-Kerry game, the circumstances were different. When we read the referee's report, he had referred to it and that was enough. He had decided not to suspend anybody, not to send anybody [else] off.

So there is a difference there and we have to respect that difference...

As I said, comparison is the thief of contentment...

In Ger Brennan's case, he got a red card. The referee made it very clear in his report what had happened and it was minimal contact with a player, that's the ban.

As you might have imagined, those comments have not gone down well in Dublin GAA circles.

READ ALSO: Galway Star's Use Of Irish Slang Is Already Causing Confusion On 'Love Island'

READ ALSO: McConville Backed Ger Brennan For Radical GAA Protest In Dublin Vs Louth

Dublin initially appealed Ger Brennan's ban, although there were unsuccessful in their attempts to have it overturned.

It seems that handling of Jim McGuinness has only strengthened their opinion that Brennan was harshly treated, with the comments from Jarlath Burns another blow from their point of view.

Niall Moyna has been a member of Dublin's backroom team in 2026, and speaking on Morning Ireland on Wednesday, he labelled the comments from the GAA president as 'disingenuous':

We were very disappointed with Jarlath's comments, very disappointed.

It seems to be a selective application of the rules. Is there a rulebook for Dublin and rulebook for everyone else? That's the way we're perceiving it at the moment...

We have known in the past that the CCCC have looked at evidence post-fact and have clearly taken people before the committee after and suspensions were issued.

I think it was disingenuous. This is not about Donegal, this is about Ger and the suspension was penal in the first place. I think that was pouring coal on the fire with his comments yesterday.

We're disappointed with the comments...

People don't realise, Ger has not been able to coach his kids go games on a Saturday morning, this suspension applies to all games in the GAA.

I think they really need to look at that rule.

The current rule does seem somewhat punitive, with Brennan unable to be involved in GAA activity of any kind while his ban is being served.

It will be interesting to see if that is addressed at some point over the coming months.