Monaghan forward Tommy Freeman will contest the eight-week ban upheld by the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) this week for his part in the ugly scenes that marred the May 24th Ulster SFC semi-final defeat to Derry.
The Magheracloone clubman, who was involved in a tangle with Derry’s Kevin McGuckin, will now take his case to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC).
With the ban set to run until July 19th, Freeman will miss the remainder of the championship qualifiers if unsuccessful.
Derry captain Fergal Doherty, whose two yellow cards were upgraded to a straight red card after video footage showed him kicking out at Monaghan’s Dick Clerkin, had his eight-week suspension halved by the (CHC) last night.
Doherty relied on video evidence in his defence and will be available for the Ulster final on July 19th if his teammates can overcome Tyrone on June 21st.
Derry, meanwhile, have suspended James Conway after his inter-county team-mate James Kielt had his jaw broken in a club game between Ballinderry and the latter's Kilrea on June 7th.
The county board stated today that the referee's report had yet to be received but an investigation into Conway’s involvement in the incident was forthcoming.
Kielt, who registered 0-2 against Monaghan, has been ruled out of the Ulster semi-final against Tyrone.
Conway did not feature against Monaghan but is an established member of Cassidy’s panel.