Appeal frees McEntee for final

CROSSMAGLEN’S John McEntee last night won his appeal against the straight red card he received in Sunday’s drawn Ulster Club football final against Ballinderry.

The Ulster Council’s decision to downgrade the punishment to a yellow card means McEntee can now play in Sunday’s final replay at Brewster Park.

McEntee was dismissed by referee Martin Sludden after being judged to have elbowed Ballinderry’s Darren Conway. He would have been banned for the replay if his appeal failed.

Former Armagh star McEntee insisted after Sunday’s game that ref Sludden “got it wrong”.

Three players were sent off and 12 yellow cards shown in the decider. Michael McNamee of Cross and Ballinderry’s Conor Wilkinson were red-carded before McEntee’s exit.

“There was no contact above his fifth rib — if anything, I might have caught his elbow,” added McEntee. “I don’t like to criticise refs, but bad refs make bad decisions. That was one of many. What can you do? We’re lucky to get a second chance.’’