CCC dole out 88 weeks in bans as clubs appeal against fines

The clubs at the centre of the latest high-profile incidence of indiscipline in Cavan football circles, Kingscourt Stars and Cavan Gaels, have appealed the fines proposed by the Competitions Control Committee last Monday night (November 15). However, both clubs have accepted the individual players' suspensions, which have now been imposed and which total 88 weeks. Cavan Gaels midfielder Sean Reilly will be out of football for all of the 2011 season after he was handed a 48-week ban for matters arising out of the melee at the end of the league final at New Inns on November 4 last. Six ft 4in Reilly was widely expected to feature for Cavan under new managers Terry Hyland and Val Andrews, and had already linked up with the provisional panel, who are currently undergoing pre-season weight training. Gaels defender Mark Leddy was also hit with an eight-week suspension, while former county players Anthony Forde and Micheál Lyng were handed four weeks each. On the Kingscourt side, team captain Alan Clarke will be out of action for a month, as will Gavin Sheenan, county Under 21 forward Barry Reilly and Patrick Farrelly. Cavan Gaels defender Niall Gurhy has also been suspended for four weeks. Both clubs were also fined. However, no details of the fines have been released publicly by the CCC as the case must now be re-heard. Both clubs were informed of the proposed sanctions and, having decided to appeal against the fines, the Hearings Committee, chaired by former Ulster Council president Miceál Greenan, will now re-examine the case. The clubs had three days in which to lodge an appeal, which they did at the end of last week. By rule, the clubs must be given three days' notice of the appeals hearing and it is likely to be next week before it is convened.