Geraghty suspended

Meath's Graham Geraghty has been handed a two-month suspension by the Games Administration Committee (GAC) as a result of incidents in the National Football League final with Derry last Sunday week. It will rule the Meath captain out of their Leinster championship opener against Offaly on June 4th and also the semi-final three weeks later, should they progress.

Geraghty was red-carded by referee Michael Curley seven minutes from time for catching Derry defender Kieran McKeever with an arm - an offence which resulted in a four-week ban. In addition, he was handed another eight weeks after being reported for verbal abuse on the linesman Paddy Russell immediately after that incident. The two sentences will run concurrently starting from the date of the league final.

The GAC heard Geraghty's case on Wednesday night, where he made a personal appearance, with the announcement yesterday after the player had been notified. Meath county PRO Brendan Cummins said the news was "obviously disappointing" but at this stage any question of an appeal would be up to the player.

Under the GAA's rule 137, Geraghty's offence towards the linesman carries the minimum of a two-month suspension if the player is found guilty of "abusive or threatening language or conduct" towards the referee, umpire or linesman. His straight red card for the foul on McKeever followed a booking after just five minutes for an off-the-ball incident with Derry full back Sean Martin Lockhart.

Derry goalkeeper Eoin McCloskey also faces a two-month suspension for an incident in the same game. McCloskey was reported for abusive language towards the referee after the final whistle and his ban puts him out of championship football until the Ulster final of July 16th - should of course Derry make it through.

Meanwhile, reports that Offaly's Ciaran McManus is sure to miss the Leinster championship opener with Meath were dismissed by the county board yesterday. According to county chairman Brendan Ward, the referee's report has yet to be examined by the disciplinary committee and until they meet the length of the suspension is unknown. McManus was sent off during a match with his club Tubber last weekend.

Elsewhere, Louth manager Paddy Clarke has been chosen to join Brian McEniff on the management team for the International Rules series with Australia this October.