Former British & Irish Lion Seán O’Brien handed 10-match ban

The former flanker was sanctioned by the IRFU following Tullow RFC’s 12-7 victory over Cooke RFC at Blackgates on March 21.

, O’Brien was found guilty of “abuse of a match official”, with his suspension beginning on April 1 and running until September 23.

The punishment applies specifically to O’Brien’s involvement with Tullow and has therefore not prevented him from continuing his role as contact skills coach with Leinster.

Tullow have also been handed a significant punishment following a separate incident during the same fixture.

The Carlow club has been ordered to play three home matches behind closed doors after inappropriate comments were directed towards a Cooke player by a spectator.

The sanction means the entire Tullow grounds will be closed to supporters, with only players, coaches, match officials, medical personnel and those required to stage the fixtures permitted entry.

Tullow reportedly appealed the disciplinary decision, but the appeal was unsuccessful.

The closure will affect the men’s Leinster League fixture against Wicklow, as well as the women’s opening home AIL matches against Ennis and Cooke.

O’Brien won 56 caps for Ireland and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, featuring in the 2013 series victory over Australia and the drawn 2017 series against New Zealand.

He retired from professional rugby in 2022 before moving into coaching with Leinster.

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