Long bans and hefty fines

Navan O"Mahonys and Seneschalstown have been hit hard with fines and suspensions after the Meath Competitions Control Committee (CCC) concluded their investigation into the brawl that erupted following the final whistle of their SFC opening round meeting in Pairc Tailteann two weeks ago. The CCC has proposed two-month suspensions for Navan O"Mahonys quartet Kevin Reilly, Cormac Reilly, Lee Russell and selector Finian Murtagh while Seneschalstown substitute Robert Ruddy and club official Alan Geraghty were also hit with two-month bans. Seneschalstown players Damien Sheridan and Gary Conlon were also handed four-week suspensions and both clubs have been fined €1500 for their involvement in the fracas that involved close to 50 people. The CCC also proposed 12-month ban for the Seneschalstown 'supporter" who spat down on the Navan O"Mahonys players as they left the field. All the proposed suspensions may be appealed to a local Hearings Committee, but it is considered unlikely that many of the suspensions or the fines will be opposed. The CCC looked at DVD evidence during their deliberations and while it appears that Cormac Reilly"s suspension is not consistent with that of his co-instigator of the brawl Conlon, it transpires that the O"Mahonys man had been handed a four-week ban within the last 12 months and so has his punishment doubled. Both men were responsible for sparking the incident that developed into a major melee after referee Brendan Darby"s final whistle. However, once the brawl started, several players, mentors and stewards were heavily involved and that is where the suspensions for Murtagh and Geraghty arise as both men were involved in an altercation with each other. Kevin Reilly had been sent-off in the closing stages of the match, but his re-appearance from the tunnel area as the row erupted will surely have been a contributory factor to his eight-week ban. Despite being suspended for two months, Kevin Reilly will not miss Meath"s Leinster SFC quarter-final against Dublin on Sunday, 7th June at Croke Park. Had the full-back been issued with a three-month ban it would have stretched to inter-county action, but he will miss two months of club action. The suspensions will take effect immediately and Cormac Reilly, Kevin Reilly and Russell will all miss O"Mahonys SFC game against Donaghmore/Ashbourne at Skryne on Sunday. Seneschalstown will be without Sheridan for their game against St Patrick"s at Ashbourne on Friday. It is unlikely that there will be a third round of the Meath SFC prior to the Leinster SFC game against Dublin. If that is the case then all players should be back in action for their clubs when the SFC resumes. Meath Co Committee chairman Barney Allen, who is not a member of the CCC, had no comment to make regarding the findings of the disciplinary board.