Moody will appeal ban

THE St Patrick's Athletic utility player Mick Moody will appeal his eight game suspension for violent conduct maintaining, as he did in writing to the Senior Clubs' disciplinary Committee, that he did not head butt Athlone's Ultan Shine in a reserve game.

Compounding Moody's serge of injustice, and that of St Patrick's, the game was officiated by local referee Paul Cooley - without the assistance of linesmen. According to Brian Kerr, this was "the fourth year running in Athlone" that no linesmen attended the game, a state of affairs which chief referees inspector Paddy Daly says is due to the reluctance of Athlone, Drogheda and Dundalk to pay linesmen for reserve team games.

Moody's eight game ban is but a part of the latest draconian wave of suspensions handed out.

In addition to Moody, Shine himself received a four game ban, as did the four players involved in the punch up between Limerick and Waterford United the latter's John Sayers and John Lacey, along with Dave Connell and Garrett Ryan of Limerick. Cork have also been hard hit centre back Dave Hill incurring a four match suspension for foul and abusive language in the defeat to Finn Harps, while Ollie Cahill has been banned for two games a result of his sending off in the same game.

Derek Swan incurred a two game ban for striking an opponent when sent off against Bray Wanderers.