Holmes receives a four-week ban

Colin Holmes has received a mandatory four-week suspension having been sent off during last Sunday's ill-tempered clash between…

Colin Holmes has received a mandatory four-week suspension having been sent off during last Sunday's ill-tempered clash between Tyrone and Dublin in Omagh.

While four red cards were issued by referee Paddy Russell, the Tyrone midfielder was the only player shown a straight red and is automatically ruled out until March 5th.

His Tyrone team-mate Stephen O'Neill, along with Dublin's Alan Brogan and Denis Bastic, were all sent to the line having been shown two yellow cards. Under current regulations, all three will be available for this weekend's round of National Football League matches.

However, given the level of violence at Healy Park, with all hell breaking loose on a number of occasions and fighting spilling over onto the sidelines, more bans are sure to follow.

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The GAA have confirmed their investigations into the ugly scenes between the reigning All-Ireland and Leinster champions are at a preliminary stage.

The Central Disciplinary Committee met last night to discuss the matter with a statement explaining "that deliberations on other aspects of the game are ongoing".

Holmes's ban will see him miss this weekend's trip to Ulster rivals Fermanagh and the meeting with Cork a fortnight later.

Noel O'Reilly

Noel O'Reilly

Noel O'Reilly is Sports Editor of The Irish Times