DOWN player Brendan Loughran is not expected to be handed a further suspension for playing illegally in the recent National Football League match against Monaghan.
County secretary Brian McAvoy acknowledged to delegates at last weekend’s county convention that a breakdown in communication between the Down board, the county’s disciplinary authority, the activities committee, and the county management, meant Loughran was able to line out in the NFL tie.
Newry Shamrocks forward Loughran thought he had been given a two-week ban after being sent off in a club game last month. But in fact, he was handed a one-month ban.
Down are understood to have apologised to Monaghan over the affair.
Croke Park are thought unlikely to take any further action in the matter even though the official guide states that players who play while under suspension should receive a six month ban.
In theory, Down county officers Brian McAvoy and chairman Kevin Bell would also have received suspensions over the affair.
Monaghan won the NFL tie by a single point.
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ST MARY'S ladies footballers claimed third spot in the Higher Education League with a convincing 4-9 to 1-8 win over UUC at Coleraine yesterday. Eilish Gormley of Carrickmore was the star for the Belfast side, taking advantage of a strong wind in the first half to net three goals.
Coleraine’s only response came from Denise O’Hagan, scoring both points as St Mary’s ran up a 3-4 to 0-2 half-time advantage.
Despite the breeze dropping considerably in the second period Coleraine were the dominant side but could not capitalise on their possession.
Corner back Eimear McMullan starred for the home side while Arlene McCloskey marshalled the visiting defence.
UUC finally hit the net through Shauna McGirr midway through the second half, boosting her side, who added more points from O’Hagan and Catherine McAteer.
Full forward Gormley brought her personal tally to four goals with an excellent finish late in the game and Maire Groogan embarked on some fine runs for St Mary’s, who also pointed through Eilish Kelly and Nicola Scott.
UUJ took the title after a play-off with Queen’s and UUC finished the competition winless, needing improvement before hosting the Dowd Cup in February.
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JAMES Hand, who travelled with an Ulster team to compete in the Carnegie Centre pool at Dunfermline, was the star turn for the team at the Scottish National Winter Championships.
The 18-year-old Bangor club swimmer collected a silver medal for the 1500 metres freestyle event in 16 minutes 23.15 seconds, bettered only by Andrew Jameson in 15:53.34.
Hand’s definitely up for glory in the season to come, for he also collected bronze in the 400 freestyle final in 4 minutes 06.26 seconds. Team manager Stuart Mason, from Lisburn ASC, was full of praise for the Campbell College swimmer
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FOUR Lavey players are included in the Derry U21 football squad for the final trial at Owenbeg.
They are Kevin McCloy, Francis Scullion, Paul McVey and Michael Hassan. Jonathan Coyle of Steelstown,
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THE following Tyrone players are asked to report to Derrylaughan on Saturday for a county U21 trial:
Stephen McCarron, Stephen Donnelly (Aghaloo); Mark Jordan, Paul Holmes, Ryan Mellon, Philip Jordan (Moy); Paul McGurk, Niall Quinn, Brian O’Neill, Gareth Maguire (Cookstown); Adrian Ball, Stephen O’Neill, Peter Devine (Clan na Gael); Vivian Teague, Richard Thornton (Coalisland); Joe Campbell, Kevin O’Brien (Dromore); Martin Early, Kieran O’Hagan, Michael Rea (Brackaville); Peter O’Neill (Gortin); Frank McGuigan, Michael Coleman (Ardboe); Aidan O’Connor (Kildress); Damian McCrory (Galbally); Peadar Gormley (Tattyreagh); Ciaran Gourley, Seamus Donaghy (Rock); Brendan Donnelly, Conall Martin, Donal McAnallen, Martin McCann, JP McGeogh (Eglish); Kevin Hughes (Killeshill); Aidan Lynch (Castlederg); Cormac McGinley, Darren O’Hanlon, Mark Harte (Errigal Ciaran); Paddy Corry (Trillick); Pascal McConnell (Newtownstewart); Michael McGee, Ciaran Meenagh (Loughmacrory); Martin Hughes, Ryan O’Neill (Clonoe); Niall McCaul, Pauric Gallagher, Gary Hetherington, Richard Hetherington, Brian Robinson (Donaghmore); Tony McCormick, Kevin Cunningham (Omagh); Pearse McCullagh (Greencastle).
