Croker-bound Derrytresk hit with five-year Championship ban

Tyrone club Derrytresk are free to contest this Sunday's AIB All-Ireland JFC final against Clonbur, with a number of restrictions in place, after the violence that marred their recent semi-final victory over Dromid Pearses in Portlaoise.

A hearing was held at Croke Park last night which lasted into the early hours of the morning, with the biggest blow for the club being that they will be "ineligible to compete in the provincial or All-Ireland Club Championships for the next five years".

Derrytresk had a proposed fine reduced from €5,000 to €2,500, and got welcome news that influential forward Joe McKee, who scored 1-1 in the victory over Dromid, succeeded in having his suspension quashed. He is free to play this weekend.

For Sunday's game, there are restrictions in place as to who Derrytresk can have on the sideline or entering the pitch. Only the team manager, a nominated team official, doctor and physiotherapist may enter onto the pitch area before the game, at half-time or in the immediate aftermath of the game.

The water carriers for the club will be provided by the CCCC, and during the course of the game a nominated team official will stay in the stands with the substitutes. Only the team manager will be permitted to remain on the sideline.

There were a number of proposed suspensions contested at last night's meeting of the Central Hearings Committee, including the disciplinary action against starting players Kevin Campbell ("behaving in a way which is dangerous to an opponent"), Michael Robinson ("contributing to a melee") and Sean Slater ("behaving in a way which is dangerous to an opponent").

Derrytresk failed to overturn the bans imposed on seven of their players in total - three starters and four substitutes, and also one which penalised the club for "disruptive conduct by players, team officials and supporters - not causing the premature termination of a game".

Campbell, Robinson, Slater and team-mate Brian Gavin were each suspended for four weeks at the same code and level, "inclusive of the next game in the same competition of the competition year, even if that game falls outside the suspension time period".

If Derrytresk decide not to accept some or all of the imposed penalties, an appeal will be lodged to the Central Appeals Committee of the GAA.

The Disputes Resolution Authority may be called upon if necessary.