Clare duo and Galway forward cleared to play in quarter-finals after proposed bans overturned

In what represents another devastating blow to the GAA’s creaking disciplinary system, all three players have seen proposed suspensions quashed by the Central Hearings Committee tonight.

Galway hurler Fahy had been facing a two-match ban for allegedly stamping on Kilkenny defender Richie Reid during the Leinster SHC decider, while Hayes and Duggan were contesting one-match suspensions arising from Munster final incidents with Limerick’s Seamus Flanagan and William O’Donoghue respectively.

None of the three was sent off but, instead, they were cited retrospectively by the CCCC on foot of video footage highlighted on RTÉ.

Fahy’s case was the first to be heard tonight, and it’s understood the case against him was dropped after a "procedural" query was raised by Galway.

As a consequence, he will now be free to face Cork in Saturday’s quarter-final at Semple Stadium – as well as an All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick should the Tribesmen progress.

The charges facing Hayes and Duggan were also thrown out by the CHC, and the pair can now face Wexford in Saturday’s second quarter-final at the Thurles venue.

Clare chairman Kieran Keating told Independent.ie that they were cleared because of "irregularities on the CCCC side in terms of how they proceeded with the disciplinary matter."

Keating added: “We are relieved that the lads are cleared to play. We felt that we had a good case anyway in terms of exonerating them, and we are happy to get the result and we drive on now for Saturday.”