Loughgiel and St John's hit with bans after brawl

Antrim's competitions control committee has initiated two investigations into a brawl that occurred during and off the field of a Senior Hurling Championship match between Loughgiel and St John's on September 12. The Group One game took place at Fr Healy Park, where Loughgiel emerged victorious with a score of 0-30 to 3-14, securing the top spot and a direct passage to the semi-finals.

The incident was captured on live streaming footage, which has played a crucial role in the swift investigation. St John's were cited for involving four players and one official in the altercation, with defender Ryan McNulty facing a one-game ban. Conversely, Loughgiel incurred bans for three players, including Dan McCloskey, who also received a one-game suspension.

All individuals involved have a 48-hour window to appeal the decisions. St John's are set to face Glenariffe in the quarter-final match at Ballymena on Saturday at 16:00 BST. Loughgiel, on the other hand, awaits their semi-final opponents on October 10 or 11, which could be either Cushendall or Ballycastle, contingent on their clash in Dunloy on Sunday at 16:00.

Simultaneously, another investigation into the disturbances in the stands is reportedly in its advanced stages and is expected to conclude promptly, according to a source. The potential penalties for the violations remain substantial, but no conclusive club sanctions have been announced at this juncture.