Davy Fitzgerald hit with substantial ban for ref slander

The controversial boss is back in the news.

After Antrim's 6-27 to 1-14 hammering by Galway two weeks ago, Fitzgerald went on an extraordinary rant about linesman Johnny Murphy, after theSaffrons' Declan McCloskey was sent for an off-the-ball incident, which was spotted by Murphy.

He said: "It was Johnny Murphy seeing it and Johnny Murphy now, probably Johnny Murphy wouldn't have any time for me, number one.

"That's out there. Everybody knows that. Himself and one or two more of them.

"They actually despise me, and that's fine. Would have made a difference there? It wouldn't make a difference.

"Galway better were than us, way better than us, and there's no getting away from that. I'm just disappointed how we played as a team in the second half.

'We didn't fight the way we should have fought. It was too easy for Galway out there."

The gaffer was then charged with 'misconduct considered to have discredited the association' by the GAA, after which Fitzgerald requested a hearing.

The Central Hearings Committee have confirmed that the charge was upheld at the hearing, with the Saffrons boss handed an eight-week ban, with the right to appeal.