Mary’s Hand Out Six Month Ban
St Mary’s College have handed out a six months ban to their second row forward Gareth Logan following a punching incident in their AIB League game against Dungannon.
01/03/02.The incident occurred in the All Ireland League game last week-end and resulted in Dungannon back row forward Michael Haslett having his jaw broken in two places.
It is believed that Haslett, a former Irish under-21 and son of Irish under-21 manager Davy, will be out of rugby for between six to eight months.
St Mary’s Director of Rugby Brendan Spring, chaired a disciplinary sub-committee to investigate the incident and viewed a video of the match. At a meeting on Wednesday which Logan was asked to attend, the sub-committee found the player guilty.
Logan, a 22 year old student, has an exemplary disciplinary record and the incident was seen by the club as being totally out of character. In a statement issued by the club, Logan said, “Although I did strike Michael, no damage was intended and I am appalled at the extent of his injury,” Logan has apologised to the injured player, to the president of Dungannon, Ken Maginnis, and to the members of his club.
Dungannon, however, had already cited the player and are obliged to carry that process through. “The citation was served today (Thursday) and the process is now in train with the IRFU.” a Dungannon spokesman said, before going on to praise St Mary’s for, “the exemplary way they dealt with the incident. “