Bradley set to appeal 12-week suspension

News: Derry forward Paddy Bradley seems certain to appeal a 12-week suspension, upheld by the county hearings committee on Monday…

News:Derry forward Paddy Bradley seems certain to appeal a 12-week suspension, upheld by the county hearings committee on Monday night, to the Ulster Council. Bradley was found guilty of "minor physical interference" with a referee while playing for his club, Glenullin, against the Loup.

If the ban is upheld by the appeals system, Derry will be without their best forward for their opening Ulster championship encounter against Antrim on June 3rd as well as a potential provincial semi-final on June 24th.

The suspension ends at midnight on Friday, July 6th, which is nine days before the Ulster final, although Derry will struggle to progress without their chief marksman.

Meanwhile, Tyrone's injury list appears not as bad as initially feared with Seán Cavanagh, Ger Cavlan and Owen Mulligan all expected to recover ahead of their championship opener, against Fermanagh in Clones on May 20th.

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"It was made out to be worse than it was," said Mulligan at the Adidas media day yesterday. "I came off against Donaghmore more as a precaution, I felt a niggle, but I'm playing club championship this Sunday."

However, 2005 footballer of the year Stephen O'Neill (hamstring) and Brian McGuigan (leg) are less likely to make the starting line-up.

"I've been playing centre forward recently but there is only one centre forward in Tyrone and that's Brian McGuigan. He sees the pass that no other player does so when he is fit I will probably move inside," said Mulligan of his teammate who has been out injured for 13 months after suffering a badly broken leg. "He is back training with the panel. Not full on yet but he is certainly getting there."

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent