Clerkin set to appeal ban

By Fintan O’Toole

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

MONAGHAN midfielder Dick Clerkin’s availability for Sunday’s NFL opener against Cork in Scotstown remains uncertain as he fights to overturn a one-month ban picked up in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Clerkin was banned after being shown a red card in Monaghan’s match against Fermanagh two weeks ago but manager Seamus McEnaney revealed Clerkin would request a personal hearing in a bid to line out on Sunday. A decision will be made in the next few days.

Fellow midfielder Eoin Lennon is already out while in defence John Paul Mone is out after undergoing a knee operation and his brother Dessie a doubt with a groin strain. In attack Stephen Gollogly is likely to be sidelined on Sunday with a calf strain but Brendan McKenna could come into the frame after Emyvale’s run in the All-Ireland Club JFC came to an end at the semi-final stage last Sunday. McEnaney is also set to field a new keeper with Ballybay’s Sean Gorman set to start after playing throughout the Dr McKenna Cup.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 02, 2010