Kelly’s ten-week ban for Miskella clash

CLARE footballer Graham Kelly has been hit by a whopping ten-week suspension following his late altercation with Cork’s John Miskella in last Sunday’s Munster SFC quarter-final.

Kelly was sent off for a second bookable offence after tangling off the ball with substitute Miskella at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

But Cork followers were left incensed by an apparent head-butt by Kelly into Miskella’s face after referee Eddie Kinsella showed the red card.

Clare sources confirmed last night that Kelly has received the hefty ban — two months for the headbutt plus a fortnight for a repeat offence (two bookings) within 48 weeks.

At the end of last June’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Clare, Kelly was also dismissed for two bookable offences.

Kelly will not be eligible forinter-county action again until July 30, meaning that his season is over unless the Banner County embark on an extended run through the summer qualifiers.

Meanwhile Down star Martin Clarke travels to Australia next week, fuelling speculation he will resume his AFL career at the end of this year.

The An Riocht man will head Down Under for a short break following the county’s Ulster SFC quarter-final against Armagh on Saturday.

It’s not yet certain whether Clarke is travelling to Australia to hold talks with his former club Collingwood.

Clarke’s team-mate and captain Benny Coulter insists Clarke would have the full backing of the squad if he opted to return to Australia.

“There’s no impact on us,” he maintained. “As a panel, we know where Marty stands and we back him fully.

“It’s a nice place to live and if he does go back it will be our loss, but I guarantee you every lad will shake his hand and wish him well. Hopefully, he’ll do the business if he does go back there. If he doesn’t go then great, hopefully he’ll win things with us, but there’s no problem. We all know Marty’s situation.”