Football

No more appeals expected from Armagh after Kieran McGeeney incurs 12-week ban

Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has been banned for 12 weeks for an alleged incident arising from their NFL game against Antrim on March 25
Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has been banned for 12 weeks for an alleged incident arising from their NFL game against Antrim on March 25 Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has been banned for 12 weeks for an alleged incident arising from their NFL game against Antrim on March 25

THE Armagh County Board is not expected to appeal Kieran McGeeney’s proposed 12-week ban. The Orchard manager was cited for an alleged incident involving linesman Joe McQuillan during Armagh’s Division Three game with Antrim on March 25.

The end of the game was marred by three red cards – Conor Murray and Stephen Beatty (both Antrim) and Stephen Sheridan (Armagh) were sent off by match official Niall Cullen of Fermanagh.

It is understood McGeeney appeared in person at a Central Hearings Committee to contest the proposed sideline ban and the elements of the referee’s report, but the decision was upheld.

Orchard officials won’t pursue the matter any further even though they still have the option of taking their case to the Appeals Committee, while the Disputes Resolution Authority [DRA] is another avenue in order to have the case against McGeeney thrown out.

It is believed the Mullaghbawn native was sanctioned under Category IIIa offence of rule 7.2, which carries a minimum 12-week penalty for team officials who display “minor physical interference with (e.g laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to, a referee, umpire, linesman or sideline official.”

McGeeney will be banished to the stands for Armagh’s Ulster Championship opener against Down on June 4 and could still be absent from the sidelines for a potential Ulster Championship semi-final three weeks later on June 24, depending on when the Central Hearings Committee met, as it is unclear on the date they discussed the case.

Interestingly, Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald was hit with an eight-week ban – a month less than McGeeney’s suspension - for pitch encroachment and jostling an opposing player during their NHL semi-final with Tipperary.