Former Offaly star and Edenderry player Finbarr Cullen has strongly criticised Ballycumber GAA club after being suspended for six months by the Games Administration Committee (GAC). Cullen's ban comes as a result of playing illegally in Edenderry's first round senior championship win against Ballycumber. Ballycumber were awarded the points. Ballycumber appealed the result as they believed that Cullen should not have played. The former Offaly player had been dismissed in a championship game last year against Rhode. Although he served a month's suspension, he was also required to miss their next championship match. Ballycumber were subsequently awarded the points for the Edenderry match. Cullen accepted that the GAC gave him a fair hearing. Edenderry offered to replay the match with Ballycumber without Cullen but Ballycumber would not accept this. Cullen expressed his disappointment at what happened. "I am sick. I am very disappointed with Ballycumber. Edenderry offered a replay with me not playing. I thought it would be a courtesy (for Ballycumber) to accept the replay but they couldn't find a way to do it. It is very disappointing. "It was an honest mistake but Ballycumber stuck their heels in and wouldn't budge," he said. At 35, Cullen has admitted that it will be difficult to continue training during his suspension. During a glittering playing career, Cullen won an All-Ireland minor hurling championship medal in 1989 and was also part of the Offaly team which won the Leinster senior football championship in 1997 and the National Football League in 1998. Edenderry have appealed to the Leinster Council which has yet to receive the appeal. Tweet

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