GAA upholds Mallon and Prendergast bans
The GAA's Central Hearings Committee has upheld four-week bans for Armagh footballer Brian Mallon and Waterford footballer Tommy Prendergast, while Prendergast's Deise colleague Tony Grey has had his case adjourned until later this week.
Despite initially not accepting a proposed one-month ban following his dismissal against Monaghan on June 6, Mallon failed to appear before the scheduled CHC meeting.
The Armagh forward was shown a red card in the Ulster SFC quarter-final against the Farney County side, and was reported by referee Martin Sludden for "behaving in a way dangerous to an opponent".
The CCCC had proposed a four-week ban, with Armagh hoping to have that penalty lifted, but the Tir na nOg clubman's decision not to attend the hearing meant that the suspension was imposed.
Mallon will now be absent for Armagh's All-Ireland first round qualifier against Donegal on Saturday in Crossmaglen, but will be available for a round 2 clash should the Orchard men overcome their Ulster rivals.
Meanwhile, the Waterford footballers have received mixed news ahead of their All-Ireland second round qualifier tie on July 10.
Prendergast and Grey picked up red cards in the Munster SFC semi-final defeat to Limerick on June 6.
Prendergast was reported by referee Syl Doyle for "striking an opponent with an elbow", and the midfielder had hoped that video evidence would clear his name.
However, the CHC decided that the evidence presented was "not sufficiently compelling to contradict the contents of the referee's report".
Grey was sent-off towards the end of the game, for allegedly throwing a sideline flag in the direction of a Limerick player, and was reported by the referee for "behaving in a way dangerous to an opponent".
The Deise defender will have to wait a little longer to find out if he will be available for Waterford's next match, after his case was adjouned.
