It is unclear yet if Armagh will contest Rian O’Neill’s proposed one match ban arising out of a melee at the end of the recent League encounter with Donegal in Letterkenny.
O’Neill is the fourth Armagh player to be hit with a proposed suspension, arising from the melee.
If the proposed bans are upheld it would rule the quartet out of the crunch Ulster quarter-final encounter with Donegal.
Read more: Armagh skipper Kelly Mallon fighting fit for promotion joust with Kerry
It appears Armagh have paid the price for refusing to accept the proposed bans doled out to Aidan Nugent, Stefan Campbell and Ciaran Mackin.
Armagh GAA opted to contest all three suspensions at hearings.
If video evidence was called on, it may well have been what led to O’Neill’s proposed one match ban, in a move which all other counties will have taken note of.
It is understood the initial five proposed bans - two for Donegal and three for Armagh - were based on the match report of Roscommon referee, Paddy Neilan, who didn’t issue any red cards at the time.
Interestingly, Donegal accepted the proposed one match bans for Ghaoth Dobhair defenders Odhran McFadden Ferry and Neil McGee, perhaps fearful of other players being charged by the GAA.
O’Neill is Armagh’s marquee player and one of the best forwards in the country.
Forward Nugent had returned this year and was in great form, while midfielder Ciaran Mackin was one of the finds of this year’s Division 1 campaign.
Campbell’s firepower off the bench will also be missed against Donegal.
Armagh have the option of appealing the bans, and even going all the way to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).
This is now a live option considering they’re now down a third of their starting Championship side.
Read more: David Clifford pays touching tribute to Red Og Murphy after leading Kerry to league title
Read more: Popular Derry GAA player Patrick Brennan now 'stable' in a Californian hospital
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
