Ban rules Canning out of quarter-final

JOE CANNING has been suspended for four weeks and will miss Portumna’s Galway SHC quarter-final clash this weekend after being sent off in their final group game two weeks ago.

And his club and Galway colleague Andy Smith will also miss Sunday’s quarter-final against St Thomas after also receiving a red card in a fiery contest against Athenry.

Athenry defender Diarmuid Cloonan and Shane Donoghue were also sent off in the melee which erupted during their final group game.

Cloonan and Donoghue have also been suspended but Athenry are out of the championship.

Canning and Smith will be back for the Galway semi-finals should Portumna progress at Ballinasloe on Sunday.

All-Ireland club champions Clarinbridge put their title on the line when they meet Mullagh in a double-header at Athenry on Sunday which also features Gort against Loughrea.

The first of the Galway SHC quarter-finals sees Carnmore take on Craughwell on Saturday.