CARRICKMORE have won their appeal against a league football ban. The Tyrone County Board overturned the 12-month disqualification imposed by the Games Administration Committee (GAC), leaving the way open for the county champions to return to action within weeks.

The board also revealed that it is reducing the individual suspensions imposed by the GAC.

Eleven Carrickmore players were suspended for periods ranging from threes months to two years, and those who made personal submissions in support of their appeal will have their bans cut by 25 per cent.

Peter Loughran is understood to be the only player not to have made such a submission, and his two-year suspension will stand.

The Carrickmore players are to meet this week to discuss the county board decisions. Carrickmore chairman Mickey Kelly declined to comment on the board announcement.

The board upheld the GAC decision to award the Division One league title to Errigal Ciaran.

Carrickmore's reserve team is also to be re-admitted to the league and championship, but the ban on the senior side competing in the cup competitions run by the GAC was affirmed.