Derry clubs get record sanctions

Slaughtneil's Francis McEldowney is sent-off at Celtic Park

Unprecedented sanctions have been handed out to Derry clubs Slaughtneil and Ballinderry after a series of incidents at Sunday's county final.

Slaughtneil has been banned from all adult competitions for six months and club members Raymond McCluskey and Danny McMullan are banned for 96 weeks.

Frances and Fergal McEldowney, Michael McEldowney and Michael Rogers, also of Slaughtneil, are given 48-week bans.

Ballinderry management team member Paul Devlin has been banned for two years.

Slaughtneil have also been fined £5000 and it is anticipated that Ballinderry will receive a similar fine.

County Board investigations are ongoing and BBC Sport understands that further players and club officials from Ballinderry could yet be subject to lengthy suspensions.

Slaughtneil has been banned from all adult activity at senior, reserve and under-21 level for six months.

The club will also have to play all adult games next year at the home of their opposition.

Underage football and the club's hurling teams are not affected.

Both clubs have 72 hours to appeal the sanctions and, in the meantime, the County Board has declined to comment on the matter.

It is alleged that two press photographers were the victims of verbal and physical abuse following unsavoury scenes after the final whistle.

Ballinderry won the game by 0-10 to 0-8 at Celtic Park.