Cavan may appeal McKiernan red card

Cavan are considering appealing Gearoid McKiernan’s proposed two-match McKenna Cup ban arising from Sunday’s victory over Monaghan.

McKiernan was shown a red card last Sunday for what referee Sean Hurson cited as a category four offence: “An act by deed, word or gesture of a racist, sectarian or anti-inclusion/diversity nature.”

The midfielder played no part in last night’s semi-final against Fermanagh but Cavan PRO Mark O’Rourke confirmed the board’s executive are deliberating about contesting the recommended ban handed down by Ulster’s Competitions Control Committee on Tuesday night.

“There have been different allegations made about what Gearoid is supposed to have said,” stated O’Rourke.

“Our lads are reviewing it at the moment and discuss whether to appeal or do nothing.”

At last year’s Congress, the use of racist and sectarian language was defined as a sending-off offence.

However, the successful motion also stipulates that a minimum of an eight-week ban as “misconduct considered to have discredited the Association”.

It also reads: “Debarment and expulsion from the Association may also be considered”.

Meanwhile, it was yesterday confirmed Cavan will travel to the US in early April to face New York in a two-legged competition.

The teams will play on April 9 and Sunday April 12 for the Mick Higgins Trophy, in honour of the New York-born captain of the Cavan team that won the 1947 All-Ireland final in Manhattan’s Polo Grounds.

Cavan will also used the trip as a training camp ahead of their Ulster quarter-final against Monaghan the following month.

New York face Galway in the Connacht championship on May 3 and their Kerry-born manager Ian Galvin said: “I’m delighted we get to send out our players against top opposition like Cavan.

“We will be playing Boston a week after the Cavan game so those 10 days will be huge for us.”