Lowry banned for 24 weeks

The Leinster Council last night ruled to suspend Westmeath manager Brendan Lowry for almost six months for his part in the scenes that marred the recent O'Byrne Cup final in Mullingar.

Longford player Enda Barden, who was dismissed in that game for apparently striking an opponent with his foot, must consider himself lucky to have received only a four-week ban at the same hearing. Westmeath's John Cooney was also sent off for barging an opposing player and he too will serve a four-week ban.

Longford manager Michael McCormack has been excluded from the pitch enclosure for his team's next two competitive games but his punishment pales in comparison to that of Lowry's.

No comment other than Lowry had been disciplined for 24 weeks under Rule 105 E was forthcoming last night.

The manager was expected to have attended the hearing but is understood to have sent his apologies for being unavailable.

The match was played in horrendous conditions and while not nasty in character throughout did threaten to boil over on occasions. Westmeath are regarded as an emerging force within Leinster and the suspension could severely curtail Lowry's chances to develop his side over the remainder of the league and more importantly for the summer championship. It will undoubtedly force the management to work out an alternative means of communication throughout games.

Waterford have given two debut opportunities to rising Tallow stars Stephen Curley and Brian Hanley, who come in for Brian Hanley and Dan Shanahan respectively for their game against Wexford.

Apart from that, the team remains the same as lined out against Derry, with Dave Bennett, who hit 2-3 in that game, again accompanying captain Paul Flynn and Anthony Kirwan in the full forward lines.

The Clare selectors have delayed naming their team until tonight but it is widely expected that Davy Fitzgerald will resume his tenancy between the posts.

Kevin Boyle, a young goalkeeper from the Leitrim/Kilnadeena club will start for Galway in that local derby. He comes in for Nigel Murray, who deputised for Athenry's Michael Crimmins during last weekend's win over Offaly. Team manager Mattie Murphy emphasised that while Murray had performed admirably over that hour, he was anxious to give both player's an opportunity during Crimmins' absence.

The first choice goalkeeper is being rested in preparation for Athenry's forthcoming All-Ireland club final against St Joseph's. Brian Feeney, Paul Hardiman, Joe Rabbitte and Eugene Clooney are among the other established players who will remain on the side-lines until after that much anticipated tie.

Offaly and Tipperary will both select their teams tonight.

Galway: K Boyle; L Hodgins, M Helay, C Moore; N Shaughnessy, N Larkin, V Maher; P Walsh, R Gantley; A Kerins, M Kerins, K Broderick; O Canning, O Fahy, F Healy.

Waterford: B Landers; S Curley, J O'Connor, T Feeney; S Frampton, F Hartley, J Murray; J Brenner, P Queally; B Hanley, K McGrath, B Walsh; D Bennett, A Kirwan, P Flynn.

A major controversy is set to rock Mayo women's football. John Mullin, manager of last year's All-Ireland winning team, is expected to tender his resignation at tonight's women's county board a. g. m. His son Jonathan, a selector on the team, has already publicly announced his resignation to the Western People newspaper.

The resignations are believed to be related to an incident which occurred after the team's All-Ireland semi-final win last August.