‘Distraught’ Alan Bennett set to face three-game ban for Cork City

Cork City’s Alan Bennett could be hit with a three-match ban — or worse — after being sent off in Monday’s EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Shamrock Rovers.

The red card already rules the centre-half out of Saturday’s FAI Cup first round game away to Bray Wanderers and, if, as expected, the referee’s report from Tallaght cites “violent conduct” as the reason for Bennett’s dismissal, he would face the further sanction of, at minimum, an additional two-game ban with no leave to appeal.

Such an outcome would see Bennett suspended for Saturday’s cup tie as well as the upcoming league games at home to Sligo Rovers and away to Finn Harps.