Football

Edendork player cleared over collision which left Sean Cavanagh injured

 Sean Cavanagh suffered a "bad concussion, broken nose and severe facial injuries" in the game between Moy and Edendork
 Sean Cavanagh suffered a "bad concussion, broken nose and severe facial injuries" in the game between Moy and Edendork  Sean Cavanagh suffered a "bad concussion, broken nose and severe facial injuries" in the game between Moy and Edendork

THE Edendork player involved in a collision which left Sean Cavanagh with head injuries has been exonerated by the Tyrone County Board.

Cavanagh suffered a broken nose and concussion while playing for Moy in a club senior championship game on September 15.

Disciplinary chiefs in the county have found that the incident was accidental and have decided to take no further action.

Meanwhile, an investigation into an intermediate championship game between Stewartstown and Strabane has not been completed.

It is understood Tyrone's Competitions Constrols Committee (CCC) has advised both clubs of proposed sanctions and they have an opportunity to decide whether to accept or challenge the outcome.

Their Healy Park tie on September 14 was marred by a mass brawl in which up to 30 players and subs were involved.

There were ugly scenes at Healy Park on Friday night during the intermediate championship clash between Strabane and Stewartstown
There were ugly scenes at Healy Park on Friday night during the intermediate championship clash between Strabane and Stewartstown There were ugly scenes at Healy Park on Friday night during the intermediate championship clash between Strabane and Stewartstown

Stewartstown won the first round game after extra time.

In relation to the tie between Edendork and Moy, members of the CCC considered the report of referee Kieran Eannetta and viewed a video of the game before coming to their decision.

In a statement, the committee said it was satisfied the referee had acted appropriately in imposing no sanction at the time.

"Tyrone GAA has now completed its investigation into the incident during the course of the senior football championship fixture - Edendork v Moy - in which Sean Cavanagh incurred a serious head injury," said the statement.

"The Tyrone Competitions Control Committee (CCC), on request, considered the referee's report of the game and viewed a video-recording of the incident in which Sean was injured.

"The CCC was satisfied that the referee was well positioned, in clear view of the incident, and adjudicated on the matter appropriately.

"Tyrone GAA takes the opportunity, again, to wish its former senior football team captain Sean Cavanagh a speedy recovery from the injury that he sustained."

Read more: Cahair O'Kane: It's time the punishment fitted the crime – provided the crime can be proven

The game, played at O'Neill Park in Dungannon, produced a staggering total of 27 cards - 20 yellow, one black and six red.

None of the dismissals were on straight red cards, however, and the game, while tense and niggly, never descended into violence.

The incident involving Cavanagh occurred in the first half. No card was issued to the Edendork player involved.

Cavanagh was taken to hospital after being treated by medics for a time at the sideline.