A Gaelic football player who fractured an opponent’s cheekbone after he lashed out following a high tackle has received a two-year suspended sentence at Longford Circuit Court.
James Willis (27), pleaded guilty yesterday to striking Noel Boyle during an intermediate game between Longford club sides Killashee and Ballymore in June 2010.
Judge Rory McCabe heard that in the last 10 minutes of the fixture Mr Willis was subject to a high tackle. It was stated that as the referee blew the whistle, both men got off the ground and Willis punched his opponent on the left side of his face.
