Graham Geraghty has been hit with a 48-week ban by the Meath County Board for alleged verbal and physical abuse at a referee, according to reports today.
The former All-Ireland winning captain is alleged to have followed referee Jim Smith at the end of a Championship game between club sides Senchelstown and Ballivor last month.
Geraghty had been sent off after being issued two yellow cards; at the end of the game, it is alleged Geraghty followed the ref off the pitch and issued a tirade of abuse.
At this stage it is unclear if Geraghty, a two-time All-Star, will make an appeal. If he does not, the 30-year-old will be out of action until August 2004, missing almost all Meath's league and Leinster championship matches.