Carlow's Smith hit with four-month ban

Carlow forward JJ Smith has been suspended for a total of four months, ruling him out of Sunday week's Leinster SFC encounter with Louth and a possible provincial semi-final.

Smith received a red card for an alleged headbutting offence in an Allianz Football League match against Longford back in March. The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee proposed an eight-week ban, which was duly doubled to 16 weeks as it was a repeat offence inside the 48-week period.

The Rathvilly clubman was also dismissed during last year's All-Ireland qualifier clash with Derry and has decided not to appeal against the sanction. He will be unavailable for Carlow until July 2, by which time Luke Dempsey's side could be through to a Leinster final or eliminated from the entire Championship.

If Carlow beat Louth in Portlaoise, they will advance to a Leinster semi-final against Wexford or Westmeath on Sunday, June 26. If they lose on Sunday week, they will enter the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers which will be played over the weekend of June 25-26.

Meanwhile, defender Brian Curran will miss Sligo's All-Ireland first round qualifier later this month after being handed an eight-week ban for stamping during their recent loss to Leitrim.

Fermanagh hurler Cathal McGarry will also see out a suspension of 12 weeks. He has withdrawn his appeal against the ban which was imposed for his use of 'threatening language to umpires.'