Mckiernan misses fermanagh match after twogame ban

Cavan's most influential midfielder has been banned for the remainder of the Dr McKenna Cup, after a melee broke out during Sunday's clash with Monaghan. 

Gearoid McKiernan was sent off for a second-half verbal attack on Drew Wylie after the latter took out Martin Reilly when through on goal. His comments appeared to spark a furious reaction from Monaghan forward Paul Finlay, which saw him also sent to the line for lashing out at the Cavan star.

The Ulster Competitions Control Committee met yesterday evening (Tuesday, January 20) and gave McKiernan a two-match ban for 'abusive comments', - that ban only applies to the Dr McKenna Cup. McKiernan can accept the ban or request a hearing. 

This rules the Swanlinbar clubman out for tonight's semi-final against Fermanagh in Breffni Park. His absence will be felt given his performances in the three group matches, which saw Terry Hyland's men beat Down but narrowly lose out to the students of UUJ. 

Up until the incident, McKiernan was Cavan's star performer, sending over three majestic points from play and dominating midfield. Tempers flared when Wylie landed a hefty foul on Martin Reilly​, which resulted in him receiving black card, which was added to his yellow for his red.

Wylie's tackle on Reilly led to McKiernan making his 'abusive comments'. The Ballybay man's teammate, Finlay, was sucked into the dispute and appeared to land at least one punch on McKiernan and had to be restrained.

Full forward Niall McDermott was also sent off having received two yellows in a separate incident, but the Ballinagh man will be available for tonight's game. Throw-in at Breffni is at 8pm. Fermanagh are going into the game in decent form with wins over QUB and Derry (who were missing their Slaughtneil contingent), and a narrow defeat to Donegal. In the campaign to date new fullback James Allen has greatly impressed, as has the reliable Barry Mulrone and danger-man and Roslea star forward Sean Quigley.