Tiernan McCann in action against Monaghan’s Karl O’Connell. McCann’s theatrics are being used as a jumping-off point for blackening Tyrone’s name

Tyrone's Tiernan McCann had his proposed eight-week ban lifted at a meeting of the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) - which went into the early hours of Thursday morning - and will be available to play against Kerry in this Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final.

McCann was charged with discrediting the Association for diving in their quarter-final win against Ulster rivals Monaghan but in a dramatic u-turn the CHC have reversed the decision.

'Rufflegate' has been a huge talking point in recent weeks but the controversy surrounding the Tyrone attacker has been put to bed and Mickey Harte will be pleased to have the Killyclogher man at his disposal against the reigning All-Ireland champions.

Elsewhere, in a successful night for appeals, Kevin Keane is eligible to play in Mayo's semi-final clash with Dublin on Sunday week after also winning his appeal.

The Wesport man was sent off for striking Michael Murphy near the end of their All-Ireland quarter-final win against Donegal but the gravity of the strike led Mayo and Keane to believe that the sanction was too harsh and they appealed successfully.

The Hearings Committee downgraded the sanction from a red card to a yellow card meaning Keane has been cleared to play in their mouthwatering semi-final tie, a repeat of the 2013 All-Ireland final.

Online Editors