Tyrone may be without Hughes for two qualifiers

ALL-IRELAND champions Tyrone will be without Kevin Hughes for their opening game in the Bank of Ireland football qualifier series — and possibly the next round if they advance.

Hughes, sent off early in last Sunday’s Ulster showdown with Derry in Omagh, received a four weeks suspension at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Central Disciplinary Committee. In addition, the committee ruled that he should miss ‘the next game’ in the competition, even if this falls outside the suspension period.

Previously, this would have involved the opening round of the 2007 provincial championship, but a rule change at Congress means that the provincial, qualifier and All-Ireland series are classed as a single competition.