Wicklow footballer Stephen Byrne has been suspended for six months after the Games Administration Committee (GAC) of the GAA found him responsible for assaulting Westmeath goalkeeper Dermot Ryan. The incident in which Ryan suffered a broken cheekbone took place as the team were leaving the pitch at half-time during the NFL match between the counties last February.

The statement read: "Following a meeting last night of the Games Administration Committee of the GAA, it has been announced that Stephen Byrne of Wicklow has been suspended for 24 weeks for assaulting Mr Dermot Ryan in the Wicklow-Westmeath National League match.

"GAC was also of the opinion that an assault had been perpetrated on Mr Byrne. The identity of the perpetrator could not be confirmed by Mr Byrne or others involved in the investigation. Mr Michael Murtagh, a Wicklow substitute, received an eight-week suspension."

Byrne has always denied the charge and did so again on Thursday night when he appeared before the GAC at Croke Park. Sources within the GAA say that the suspension is relatively lenient because the Wicklow player is believed to have been trying to act as a peacemaker during the fracas which broke out in the tunnel leading to dressing-rooms.

He was then struck and although the GAC were unable to pursue that matter because neither Byrne nor anyone else was in a position to identify the assailant, they appear to have accepted the events leading to the attack on Ryan as mitigating evidence for the Wicklowman, who was himself hospitalised after the match.

On RTE Radio's 1's Sportscall programme last night, Jimmy Dunne, the Wicklow county secretary, said that a possible appeal would be a "personal decision by Stephen. We will be discussing all the scenarios at our next management meeting next week."

He went on to mention that whereas two Westmeath players had identified Byrne, no one had seen who had hit him. "It was strange that they weren't able to identify anybody who struck Stephen. They only saw one incident, where Stephen is alleged to have struck Dermot Ryan."

Byrne's team-mate Mick Murtagh, who was a substitute in Mullingar, was also suspended for two months for his role in the melee.

Rory O'Connell, the only Westmeath player charged, has requested a personal hearing and is currently in America, so his charge will not be heard until he returns.

Westmeath's county board were last night critical of the decision to name O'Connell before his case had been heard. "We feel this is very unfair to the player and his family. The player was unable to attend the recent GAC meeting due to work commitments and we are disappointed that due process was not observed."

The biggest suspension handed down was to Westmeath supporter Thomas McCormack who was banned for two years. What this entails for someone who no longer plays is hard to define but Danny Lynch, GAA PRO, had a go.

"It means that he can't be involved in any club activity, in the dressing-room, on the sidelines or inside the perimeter of a pitch. That he can't be given any recognition or status within the association."

Westmeath manager Brendan Lowry and his selector Ned Moore have been warned as to their future conduct after charges of verbal abuse. Both county boards were fined £500 each for their teams' roles in the disorder and Westmeath a further £500 for what was believed to have been inadequate stewarding at the match.

Other decisions taken include the expected three-month suspension for Dublin's Paul Croft for kicking in an NFL match in Cork. He will now miss the county's opening championship match against Louth.

Limerick hurler Stephen McDonagh received a one-month ban after being sent off against Clare. Fergus Tuohy, who was sent off in the same match, has opted for a personal hearing which will be granted when the player returns from honeymoon.

Finally Wexford county board have been fined £500 for the incident after the NFL match in Cavan in which former Wexford manager JJ Barrett hit match referee Mick Curley and earned himself a two-year ban.