PAUL GERAGHTY will be free to return to action next September after the London midfielder succeeded in having his 96-week ban halved.

Geraghty was sent off during last month’s London Senior Football League final between his club Neasden Gaels and Kingdom Kerry Gaels for allegedly striking referee Beano Collins following Maurice Carrig’s controversial goal, which gave Kingdom a three-point victory.

A 96-week suspension was subsequently proposed but Geraghty, a former Galway senior footballer, was given an appeal hearing at Ruislip on Wednesday night.

Neasden Gaels were informed yesterday by the London CCC that the appeal had been successful and that Geraghty’s suspension has been reduced to 48 weeks, despite expectations in London that the initial ban would be upheld.

“We’re very satisfied with the decision. We’ve felt all along that 96 weeks was too harsh so we believe this is the right call,” said Neasden Gaels vice-chairman Brian Mulry.

“It has been a difficult few weeks for the club and the player himself but we’re looking forward now and putting this incident behind us.”