Dunloy banned from next year's Ulster championship

Dunloy, twice All-Ireland finalists in the last three years, have been banned from next year's Ulster championship. The punishment was imposed by the Ulster Council's Activities Committee following an outbreak of violence at the end of last month's club final between Dunloy and Lavey at Casement Park. They remain, however, in contention for the All-Ireland as their Ulster title was not taken from them.

In addition four Dunloy members have been suspended for between six months and two years and a number of the club's supporters will not be admitted to membership without referral to the Ulster Council. Dunloy also forfeit their share of the gate receipts. Both clubs have been fined £500.

The decision places the blame for the post-match incidents squarely on the shoulders of the Antrim champions: ". . . the committee determined that these (incidents) were the responsibility of the Dunloy club. The committee was satisfied that those involved were either members or partisans of the Dunloy club."

These punishments bring to a conclusion the committee's deliberations on the events of October 5th. In the eighth minute of injury-time at the end of an exciting match, won by Dunloy 3-16 to 410, a fracas broke out and as a result, Oliver Collins and Seamus Downey of Lavey and Gary O'Kane, Seamus McMullan and Malachy Molloy of Dunloy were sent off. All five players were suspended for three months.

When the final whistle had sounded, referee John Anthony Gribben had to be escorted off the pitch by stewards as supporters invaded the pitch. Given that they were predominantly from Dunloy, there was a feeling that the club might be stripped of the title.

"We took the situation really seriously," says Ulster Council chairman John Vesey. "When you have a referee who only escaped attack because of the presence of stewards, it's clearly not acceptable. The fine may seem a lot of money but the match was a centre-stage hurling final. Dunloy could have been suspended but we felt we had to take into account their co-operation and give them credit for that."

On the National League front, Cork have made six changes to the team for Sunday's NFL visit of Clare. Five of those called up were in action for the county finalists last weekend: Brian Collins, Niall Cahalane and Colin Crowley for Castlehaven and Ciaran O'Sullivan and Ollie O'Sullivan of the new champions Beara. Out go Michael O'Donovan, Owen Sexton, Sean O hAilpean (in Scotland for the under-21 shinty international), Brian Walsh, Mark O'Sullivan and Jonathan McCarthy.

Dublin's interim management of Lorcan Redmond and Chris Kane have made a couple of changes to the team that played the last match of Mickey Whelan's tenure as manager, against Offaly. Keith Barr has been switched to full back for the Wexford game with Dermot Harrington who came on as a substitute for Paddy Moran, moving into centre back. Moran is still unavailable.

Brian Stynes makes a welcome return to reconstitute the All-Ireland winning centrefield with Paul Bealin. Darren Homan moves up to centre forward in place of Paul Curran for whom an AN Other position is being kept in the event of his recovery from injury. Should curran fail to make it, Jonathan Mcgee will hold his place from the last day.

Into the attack come Dave Madden and Ciaran O'Hare who has been showing good form for Erin's Isle in the Leinster club championship. They replace Enda Sheehy and Martin Doran.

For their part Offaly make three changes for their match against Kerry. Finbar Cullen who was injured in an off-the-ball incident is not fit to play and his place goes to Phil O'Reilly with John Kenny taking over at centre back. David Foley comes in at left corner back for James Brady and in attack, fit-again Roy Malone returns at full forward in place of Colm Quinn.

Dublin's sub-committee to appoint a new football manager consists of John Bailey (chairman), John Costello (secretary), Gerry Brady (Central Council delegate) and Mick Seevers. It does not feature former manager Kevin Heffernan who was such a influential voice in the appointment of Mickey Whelan two years ago.