Carlow have been hit with a triple-blow ahead of the start of the Leinster Football Championship.
Senior football boss Turlough O’Brien has been handed a 20-week ban after the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee found him guilty of “threatening conduct towards a “referee”.
The incident occurred after Carlow’s narrow defeat to Down in the penultimate round of Division 3 games in the Allianz Football League.
Carlow went on to face Laois in the closing game, losing that one, while Offaly’s late victory over Sligo ensured relegation back to Division 4 for O’Brien’s charges next season.
Midfielder Brendan Murphy and coach Stephen Poacher have both received 12-week suspensions for similar infractions after the game.
You can see the full details of the suspensions and infractions in the latest CHC report here.
All parties now have the option of appealing, with Carlow set to face either Meath or Offaly in this year’s Leinster quarter finals in just over 6-weeks’ time.
You can hear the action as it unfolded at the end of our match commentary below.
