Louth’s Donnelly handed soccer ban

LOUTH GAA star Brian Donnelly has been suspended from soccer for four weeks after a committee found him guilty of playing a league match under the name of fellow Wee County GAA player Richard Brennan.

Donnelly blasted five goals for Carlingford when they sensationally recovered from a four-goal deficit to beat Boyne Valley 6-5 in a Division 4 clash two weeks ago.

However the player had not properly transferred from fellow junior club Bellurgan and the Carlingford side put him down on the match card as Richard Brennan, who was registered to play for them.

Afterwards he posed for a picture under Brennan’s name when he was presented with his man of the match award.

Donnelly attended the meeting and told the hearing he only signed the card as Brennan in a bid to save the Carlingford club from punishment. Carlingford were his with a €100 fine and the game was awarded to their opponents.