Caltra manager gets six-month ban

Caltra manager Frank Doherty has been suspended for six months and the club fined 1,100 by last night's meeting of the Connacht Council.

In the weekend's provincial final against Sligo champions Curry, Doherty was involved in an incident with his counterpart Denis Kearney.

This means that Doherty will be suspended for the club's All-Ireland semi-final against Loup of Derry and, should Caltra win, the final on St Patrick's Day. At the very least the Caltra manager will be confined to the stand when his team plays those matches.

The indications are that the club will appeal.

The incident took place when Kearney, returning from an incursion - a repeated infringement during the match - on to the pitch, clashed with Doherty. Still photographs of the incident indicated that a fist was raised but witnesses said that there had been a clash of shoulders rather than striking.

Video evidence from TG4's Ard san Aer highlights programme supported the view that no punch had been thrown.

Even if the Connacht Council's determination on the matter had been less severe Doherty would probably still have missed the All-Ireland campaign as the least serious offence of "threatening language or conduct" towards an opposing team official would still earn an eight-week lay-off, which would cover the entire All-Ireland campaign taking place in February and March of next year.

This is because December and January don't count for the serving of suspensions. At the other end of the scale Caltra could have faced disqualification were "any type of assault" found to have been committed.

Meanwhile, Armagh will be missing Oisin McConville for next year's National Football League campaign. The 2002 All Star underwent surgery on a prolapsed disc in England and won't be back for the initial stage of the season but is expected to be ready for the championship.

A slice of Limerick GAA history was made this week when Helen Cross became the first woman to be elected to the chair of a senior club in Limerick.

Cross chaired her first meeting with the Ahane club last Sunday and was given a great reception by fellow officers and delegates.

Defending Leinster Colleges senior football champions St Mel's, Longford were beaten by Knockbeg College, Carlow (2-13 to 1-11) in the first round at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow yesterday.

Knockbeg's main dangermen were right half forward Colm Doran, who scored 2-2, corner forward David Conway, who finished with 0-6, and Laois All-Ireland minor medal winner this year Donie Brennan. Defeat means St Mel's revert to the qualifiers.

SCORERS: Knockbeg (C Doran 2-2, D Conway 0-6, S Murphy 0-2, I Fleming 0-2, D Brennan 0-1), St Mel's (T Dalton 1-1, C Smith 0-3, M Smith 0-3, S McCormack 0-2, N Murphy 0-1, K Williams 0-1).