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Clonoe expected to appeal player bans

Colm Doris is expected to appeal against his ban
Colm Doris is expected to appeal against his ban

Tyrone county champions Clonoe are likely to appeal the suspensions handed down to two of their top players.

Appeals are also possible from the Dromore club, but any decision on whether to contest the proposed bans will be left up the individuals concerned.

A brawl at the end of normal time in last Sunday's SFC final resulted in Dromore manager Noel McGinn receiving a 72-week suspension.

Clonoe defender Emmet Teague received a 32-week ban, and along with forward Colm Doris, who was suspended for eight weeks, will miss the Ulster Club Championship series, which begins on Sunday with a first round game against Donegal champions St Eunan's.

Dromore goalkeeper Peter Ward and attacker Emmet O’Neill were both banned for eight weeks.

Both clubs have also had €500 fines imposed.

Clonoe chairman Harry Brady said an appeal over the penalties recommended by the county board's recommended penalties is probable.

'In the interests of the players and the clubs, we would certainly be considering an appeal,' he said.

But Dromore chairman Liam O’Neill revealed that in relation to the suspensions, any decision to appeal will be left up to the individuals affected.

'Those penalties that have been issued have been issued to individuals. They have been notified of their proposed penalties, and we’re waiting for them to come back to us.

'When they come back to us, we will make a decision then, but at the end of the day, those decisions have to be individual decisions,' he said.

Clonoe won an otherwise sporting SFC final after extra-time, lifting the O'Neill Cup for the first time in 17 years with a one point win over defending champions Dromore.

A request to have their Ulster Club Championship game delayed by a week was turned down by the Ulster Council. Clonoe will be playing their fourth championship game on successive weekends this Sunday.

Chairman Brady hit out at the decision to go ahead with the fixture on the scheduled date. 'I think we should have been allowed some time. It seems unfair that we should be forced to play another big game so soon after the county final when other clubs have had games postponed because of players in Australia with the International Rules team.'

The game does have a change of venue which will mean a much shorter journey for Clonoe. It will now be played in Coalisland, having been switched from Omagh.

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