Maghera without leading figures

THE Ulster Colleges GAA, Council has come down heavily on players from both St Patrick's, Maghera, and St Mary's, Magherafelt, following the free for all at the lend of the MacRory Cup final on St Patrick's Day.

The game, which was won by St Patrick's, ended with players punching and kicking each other after St Mary's star Kevin Madden had been sent off.

Ten players in all have been suspended, with terms ranging from two months to six months, and St Patrick's have three players on the list. This is a bitter blow to the Maghera school, which meets Good Counsel, New Ross, in the All Ireland Hogan Cup semi final at Navan tomorrow.

The Maghera players who will miss the game are mid fielder Paul Wilson, who has got four months' suspension, full back Niall Farren, the man of the match in the MacRory final, and centre back John Heaney, who is captain of the side. Farren and Heaney have been ruled out for two months.

Kevin Madden (St Mary's), the player sent off in the game, is a member of the Antrim senior squad and he has received the stiffest suspension, which is six months. Despite being side lined during the match, he became involved in the fracas at, the end.

The Ulster Colleges Council took eight hours on Thursday to decide on the course of action to take against the players were interviewed individually. They were accompanied by their school coaches, Adrian McGuckin (St Patrick's) and Henry Downey (Magherafelt). The referee, Pat McEneaney, also made his report.

Tomorrow's Hogan Cup semi final is a repeat of last year's decider also at Navan which St Patrick's won.